Free Essay

Life Well-Lived Experience

In:

Submitted By andinieffendi
Words 703
Pages 3
Life Well-Lived Experience
Andini Effendi

A dear friend couldn’t help to gasp when I uttered my plan on taking two years off from career to pursue master degree abroad. I remember her words vividly, “So you will leave your spot to someone younger, brighter and most probably hotter just like that?” I also remember what was my answer; it was simply “yes.” Don’t get me wrong I absolutely love my job. So much love as if I am married to my work. I am the living example of someone whose her passion becomes a profession. For me working it’s like playing. There were never a dull moment. But then I came to a point where I desired something more that would make me feel whole. It was education. I craved so much to broaden my knowledge, enriching experiences, and expanding my network. Moreover, I have a mental debt to my parents to study higher than undergraduate. Note: I agreed only until master degree. They can say goodbye to their dream of me taking a PhD.

Just like “The Secret” book theory, I experienced the “Law of Attraction” with New York University. People who know me well knew I’ve always wanted to go back to the US for and only for NYU. (Sorry Columbia, you were not even on my list.) I pledged to myself on midnight before January 1, that 2011 is the year of school. And it has to be NYU. Why this year? After waking up at 2.45am 5 days a week and had to be on stand-by during my days off for the past 6 years, a break for school wont hurt. I also knew where my career beheading in 2 years if I stay in my comfort zone. And I had to get out of that pseudo feeling. Furthermore, I am still relatively young and single. Although I am certain if my late grandmother still alive, God bless her soul, wouldn’t be pleased.

I can’t deny that my dear friend discouraging remark had haunted me even weeks away prior my departure to New York. But then one day I found an enliven article online that confirming I am in the right path. Jon Frank, a Harvard graduate wrote in USA Today, on July 17th, 2011 on why graduate school is worth it, even in 2011. Obviously he meant to inspire the US prospective students to go back to school amid the recession. Ironically, the US recession is a blessing in disguise for the Asians with the declining value of the dollar. In that sense, I agreed with Jon, it is the best time to go. Aside from the money issue, he answered the concerns of the working people to go back to be students. I think the main concern for working people like me and my lovable-yet-belittle friend is why giving up a great job with a good salary to become a student again? I am forever in love with his answer, a life well-lived experience. He encouraged the readers to get out of their comfort zone to experience new people, horizons, settings, and perspectives that consider more important than career or life itself. He also stated about making amazing friends at school that we would go their weddings or those who will come to ours. We will be amazed on how 2 years of time can be a life altering experience not only from professional perspective but also personal. Every word in the article released me in my own self-made solitary confinement.

It has been almost 6 weeks since my last day of work. I am now sitting comfortably in NYU’s Bobst Library in front of a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking Washington Square Park. It’s pouring rain and leaves had undergone its color as a sign of autumn. Amazing how a ravishing sight can give one tranquility. I also have met some candidates whom I would want to have as guests in my wedding once I graduated. Along with my dear belittle friend who disapproved my bold move to leave career. Hopefully by then I will be wiser, brainier, and hotter.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Spayde: A Bilingual Education Or Form Of Education?

...education that is truly vital. That is the concept of real life experiences. The debate of what to be educated really means has been going on for centuries, yet the answer isn’t esoteric at all! The scintillating Henry David Thoreau amazed scholars of his philosophy that one simply doesn’t just go to school to be educated, but one has to experience the world in order to be prepared for it. He lived in a small house on Walden Pond and lived off of the land. He quoted “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had...

Words: 1011 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Production of Knowledge Through Lived Experiences

...“The Production of Knowledge through Lived Experiences” The history and legacy of US colonialism has had a subjective view of the migration of Filipinos, particularly Filipinos immigrating from the Philippines to the United States. It is through this lived experience of Filipino Americans that has given useful forms to their lived realities, transforming their subjective experiences into objects of knowledge. One will find that it is often through the perspective of an insider that will provide us the most authentic and most informative perspective of the transformation of a lived experience to an object of knowledge as it provides us a more personal social commentary of the ideologies present at the time. The production of knowledge of these lived experiences comes from the construction of an alternate world view that is particular to the Filipino American community. The transformation stems from the idea of empowerment through the colonial oppression of Filipinos in the Philippines as well as the racial oppression and backlash that Filipinos faced in America when they immigrated here. This is the case in Carlos Bulosan’s “America is in the Heart” as the author provides us his own personal story in order to personalize the history of Filipino immigrants in America who came to America to fulfill “promises of a better life”, the ideological belief of the ‘American Dream.’ From Bulosan’s accounting of his story, one can uncover the experience of Filipino immigrants in America...

Words: 1324 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Rosemarie Parses Human Becoming Paper

...practice as well as their settings. Being informed about Parses’ Human Becoming theory does...

Words: 910 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

...approaching the world and apprehending lived experience[2]. As a research method, phenomenology is a rigorous process of reexamining what Husserl termed “the things themselves.”[3] The question of phenomenological inquiry is about the meaning of human experience and asks, “What is it like?” Phenomenology is a way of thinking about what life experiences are like for people[4] and is primarily concerned with interpreting the meaning of these experiences. Phenomenological research “explores the humanness of a being in the world”[5]. Bergum refers to the phenomenological research method as an “action-sensitive-understanding” that begins and ends in the practical acting of everyday life and leads to a practical knowledge of thoughtful action. Phenomenological research is an introspective human science, the intent of which is to interpret and to understand as opposed to observing, measuring, explaining, and predicting)[6]. The intention is to go beyond the aspects of life taken for granted and “to uncover the meanings in everyday practice in such a way that they are not destroyed, distorted, decontextualized, trivialized or sentimentalized”.[7] To answer the question, “What is it like?” and to enter into the dialectic of the study and fully portray the reality of the experience, a process of phenomenological reduction is utilized.[8] On the other hand, lived experience refers to what an individual, group, or community experiences for itself, rather than a reality that...

Words: 9129 - Pages: 37

Free Essay

Fear and Loahting

...Critical Analysis Paper: The Lived Experience of Healthy Behaviors in People with Debilitating Illness Qualitative Research Critical Analysis Paper:The Lived Experience of Healthy Behaviors in People with Debilitating Illness The purpose of this paper is to summarize the study “The lived experience of health behaviors in people with debilitating illness” (Haynes & Watt, 2008). Within this summary it will critique and describe the qualitative methodology used in the study, the appropriateness and relevance of the design for the study purpose, the study purpose, the target population, the study participants, and the setting the study participants are in. This paper will critique and describe ethical issues mentioned in the study and ethical issues not mentioned in the study, but are of importance to the study population. It will also critique and describe the data quality methods used, the research findings, the limitations as they relate to the study purpose, the implications for nursing practice, and conclude with a brief summary. The selection of this research article was because of the interest in understanding how individuals with incapacitating illnesses can continue with living a health centred lifestyle. Thoroughly analyzing the selected research via a critical lens, as well as reflecting on professional practice, assists the healthcare professional in applying holistic, client-centered care. Method The study, “The lived experience of health behaviors in people...

Words: 2172 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

A New Way of Thinking

...Transcendentalism is an idealistic philosophical and social movement that developed in New England. Transcendentalism was developed in reaction to rationalism in 1836. It taught that divinity pervades all nature and humanity. The transcendentalist members held progressive views on feminism and communal living. Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of the better known transcendentalists, became a transcendentalist in 1832 which lead to the writing of “Self-Reliance” and “The American Scholar.” He later became the central figure of his literary and philosophical group, known as the American Transcendentalist. In the 1840’s he founded and co-edited the literary magazine The Dial. In 1841 and 1844 he published essays, including, “Self-Reliance,” “Friendship” and “Experience.” In “Self-Reliance” Emerson writes: A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the luster of the firmament of bards and sages. In “Self-Reliance”, Emerson conveys that one must follow for what they believe in. Emerson was a believer in the “divine sufficiency of the individual.” He viewed nature as “the plantations of God, a decorum and sanctity reign, and a perennial festival dressed.” His works define being a transcendentalist because they include descriptions of the profound sense of nature, human...

Words: 1143 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Harlem Renaissance Poets

...Harlem Renaissance Poets Vanica McCormick-Williams Robert Henry World Cultures II May 22, 2015 Beginning in the 1920s until the mid-1930s, the Harlem Renaissance was a well read, creative, and intelligent development that ignited a unique black cultural existence. Its significance was summed up by expert reviewer and Professor Alain Locke in 1926 where he stated that through art, “Negro life is capturing its first opportunities for group expression and self assurance.” Harlem became the center of a “spiritual coming of age” in which Locke’s “New Negro” transformed “social disillusionment to racial pride.” Ralph Ellison was born on March 1, 1914 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He died of pancreatic cancer on April 16, 1994 in New York City. (Ralph Ellison, 2015) Richard Wright was born on September 4, 1908, in Roxie, Mississippi. Richard died from experiencing a heart attack on November 28, 1960, in Paris, France. (Richard Wright, 2015) Both of the authors made a major impact on society during their lifespan. According to Biography.com, Ralph Ellison was a 20th Century African American writer and scholar best known for his renowned, award winning novel “Invisible Man”. Ellison’s role in the Harlem Renaissance is his reputation as a deeply ingrained writer and a philanthropist that exceeded even the most esteemed circles of the American History. In addition, according to Biography.com, pioneering African American writer...

Words: 1567 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Way Of The Peaceful Warrior Analysis

...would have noticed the true meaning of the warrior’s story had I read this book prior to the class. Life is filled with psychological ideas and concepts that we do not take the time to interpret. Dan, a guy who thought he had it all, is tested of everything he thought he knew about life and himself up to the point he met a man named Socrates. Danny unknowingly met his teacher one night at a gas station, of all places. A series of synchronistic events lead him to the station one cold December night. It all began with Dan choosing to go to college at the University of Berkeley, where the gas station he would end up spending...

Words: 1330 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Life Review Paper

...Life Review Assignment Lutricia Le The University of Texas at Arlington, College of Nursing In partial fulfillment of the requirements of N3261 Nursing of Older Adults Denise Cauble RN, PhD (c), CWOCN July 3, 2013 Life Review Assignment After learning of this opportunity to interview an elderly adult, I already had a candidate in mind. S.F. is the grandfather of my boyfriend and this was the perfect opportunity to learn more about his family roots. It made for an easier interview because I was able establish more intimate connections by interviewing the grandfather of someone so close to me. S.F. is an 80 year old Caucasian male living with his wife of 59 years in Mineral Wells, Texas. Born in Brazos, Texas, he is the middle of five children. During his adolescent years, he worked on his family farm with his brothers and sisters while pursing education. He graduated from Texas Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in education. He then moved forward to the Air Force in hopes of becoming a pilot, but discovered at this time that he was color blind and could not continue on. Afterwards, he continued his education at Texas Wesleyan University and obtained his master’s degree in education. He later became a basketball coach and teacher in Weatherford ISD and eventually became school superintendent. One of the more profound benefits of performing a life review was that S.F. was given a chance to reflect back and reminisce on past memories. During his interview...

Words: 1437 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Speech - Gwen Harwood - Loss

...doing today is of Gwen Harwood’s Poem, “Mother Who Gave Me Life” <Read “Mother Who Gave Me Life” (MWGML)> Throughout this poem I think Gwen Harwood explores a universal theme of loss as a distinctive feature throughout her poems, in particular loss of loved ones, which can be valued by contemporary audiences today due to it being an issue that is faced by everybody in their life at some point. When a loved one is no longer part of an individual’s life, one may experience grief and as a result realise the role and importance of that loved one. From my perspective, Harwood presents the concept of loss of loved ones through MWGML with the euphemism “You left the world so”, which highlights that her mother was not only a loss to her life but also a loss to the world, suggesting that she had great value and respect for her mother. There is a similar significance placed on her mother’s life that is stressed with the use of alliteration in “lived nearly thirty thousand days”. This presents the idea that she lived daily as a mother contributing to the lives of her children. Harwood also introduces a cloth motif in her poem, through the line “when she died she was folding a little towel” to highlight the importance of her day to day life. Harwood then sustains this motif later in her poem with “a fabric of marvels”. This motif, combined with “lived nearly thirty thousand days”, reinforces the concept that every day of her life was important. Also through the use of the...

Words: 854 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Into the Wild: Analytical Essay

... Before he could start out his new and carefully constructed life, he disappeared. Chris became a nomad, meandering around the North American continent under the pseudo name Alex Supertramp, searching for the meaning of life. John Krakauer revives Chris’s story while attempting to interpret Chris’s intentions. He died during his quest at the age of twenty-four alone in the Alaskan Range. His dispassion towards the life he lived attributed to his decision on entering the wild. His epic two year journey to the Alaskan wilderness led him to the discovery of himself and true happiness. By the time Chris embarked on his chase for self discovery and ultimate happiness, his relationship with his parents was distant. Walt and Billie McCandless were the epitome of a white collar, upper middle-class family who enjoyed the materialistic possessions they earned. Walt and Billie worked hard every day from sunrise till sunset on their home business. During this time Chris and Carine, Chris’s little sister, were only toddlers and rarely spent quality time with their parents. Only once a year Walt would take Chris to Longs Peak, the highest summit in the Rocky Mountain National Park, to make-up for lost time together. The status of Chris’s relationship with his parents throughout high school didn’t change. It wasn’t that Walt and Billie were terrible parents. They loved Chris and only wanted to see him succeed in life. As Walt said, “A college degree is something we don’t take...

Words: 1267 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Qualitative Critique

...been little research documenting the reactions and responses of our nurses. A Curtain of Protection Grief is defined as “keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss; sharp sorrow; or painful regret“(Merriam-Webster,2014).  Every person in the world has suffered from grief at one point or another in their life, whether it was caused by the loss of a loved one or another reason it has been felt by them.   Different people express grief in different ways; it can often bring people together as well as divide them. This is the same for our nurses. One of the nursing functions of an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse is providing care for terminally-ill patients and assists them towards a peaceful death. However, in helping those patients to approach a peaceful death in an intensive care unit, nurses deal with many difficulties such as communicating bad news, counseling the persons’ families, and facilitating a peaceful death when time is limited. ICU nurses frequently face patients’ death and endure not only stressful, physically tiring and culturally challenging but also psychologically and emotionally draining environment which lead them to experience grief. Caring for terminally-ill patients can cause tension, conflict, moral distress, grief, and suffering for critical care nurses that affect job satisfaction and lead nurses to feel burned out (De Castro, 2010)....

Words: 1233 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Heart Failure

...REFLECTION INTRODUCTION The essence of this essay is to reflect on my 'lived' personal experience as a newly diagnosed patient with type II Diabetes. The author's assignment was to pretend to have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. As part of this exercise, the author was to maintain a record of exercise, food, and a regular blood sugar monitoring regime on daily basis. This reflection seeks to highlight the impact, experience and changes that occurred in the author's 'lived lifestyle of a patient with type II diabetes' and will include reference to current literature, research, theories and best practice. The author would explain the changes that occurred in her life and how experiencing type two diabetes has helped her to understand the challenges patients undergo in relation to their daily routine of monitoring their blood sugar levels. The author will explain how her 'lived experience' would help her understand and provide the necessary support for people with diabetes in the future. BACKGROUND INFORMATION I am a female non-smoker of African descent. I am married with two children aged 13 and 21. My thirteen-year old daughter currently lives with me in New Zealand. I am of an average height of about 163cm and weigh 80kg which signifies an unhealthy BMI of 30.1 (Health Information for New Zealanders, (n.d.) BMI Calculator section) I am currently out of job and often depressed as a result of my inactivity. I have a normal blood pressure of 136/78 and my pulse rate...

Words: 3514 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Vicki Westphal Research Paper

...Vicki Westphal’s Life For my biography I chose to do my grandmother. Her name is Vicki Westphal. My grandma is a very significant person in my existence. She has done many appreciable things in my life, her life, and the lives of everyone around her. My grandma is a very successful and fascinating individual, but the main reason I chose her was because of her riveting childhood. When I was trying to figure out my subject for the project there was many family members in my mind, but I chose my grandma because when she was little she lived in a native Alaskan village. This topic about her interested majorly because a native Alaskan village is completely unfamiliar than the lives of normal human beings that lived during the 1950’s. This is what made me so curious about my inspiring grandma. Vicki Westphal, my grandma, was born on April 14, 1958, in Defiance, Ohio. Currently, my grandma is 58 years old. Her mom’s name is Arvilla, and her dad’s name is Richard. My grandma was born into a family where she is a child of seven, and her brothers names are Edward, Richard, and Greg. Her sister’s names are Jo Ellen, Carol, and Pamela. Jo Ellen and Greg were both adopted Indian infants, but are still considered family by Vicki and the rest of her...

Words: 1552 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Louisa May Alcott: The Impact Of A Writer's Life

...The Impact of a Writer’s Life Throughout the history of literature, it has been said that literature is not created in a vacuum, implying that all literature is developed with the influence of the author’s life experiences. A strong example of this would be the author Louisa May Alcott and her book, Little Women, which is completely based off her own life. From the historical information, to the message, to the experiences of the characters, they are all linked back to herself. From a historical stance the novel is quite similar to that of her own. The novel is set in the early 1860’s amid the Civil War. The town name is never actually specified, but it is implied it is somewhere in New England around Concord, Massachusetts. They lived near the philosophical community of the Transcendentalists and Mr. March himself was an enlightened forward-thinking man as well. This mimics Alcott’s life because she lived...

Words: 843 - Pages: 4