Happiness: State of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.

Course Description 222114

In this course we're going to study how "happiness" and "the good life" have been variously defined and debated in U.S. history. Our emphasis throughout the term is going to be on the processes of "doing" history; in other words, we're going to go about our study of history as historians do, by locating, analyzing, and comparing primary documents pertaining to "the good life" as they are rooted in particular historical contexts and periods. We'll work on sharpening skills in writing and analysis that are important to your success in college and whatever career path you wish to undertake. But beyond this, careful consideration of "happiness" and "the good life" in historical perspective is invaluable in gaining a sense not just of where we've been, but where we are and where we're going in a nation and world facing enormous changes and challenges. The study of history is useful not only in exploring the past, but also getting a firmer grasp on the present, and the future.

Fall: The season of the year between summer and winter, lasting from the autumnal equinox to the winter solstice in the No. Hemisphere.

From Einat










2. Fall: To be born. Used chiefly of lambs.

Ritual: A ceremonial act or a series of such acts.

People!

This weekend is the celebration of Luminara, a prosession of worshipers celebrating the Volto Santo (a wooden crucifix supposedly carved by the Pharisee Nicodemus himself) , marching through the streets- drum cores accompany Renaissance clad players making their way down the route of winding coblestone lit by thousands of votive candles arranged 'round the windows of old, decaying buildings and as the drums beat and the people march I am listening to Joni Mitchell ('For Free', 'A Case of You', 'Free Man in Paris', 'Ladies of the Canyon'...) and classic Elton John ('Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters' and 'Tiny Dancer'). Martin is on my lap and I am downloading 'Entrouage' (I am so discustingly American) on my itunes and I live in a dream and I live here far from the people who know me and love me just the same, surrounded by people who do not know me so well and love me anyway, too.

Elton's (and Bernie Taupin's) poetry/music

And now I know
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow in New York City

Until you've seen this trash can dreams come true
You stand at the edge while people run you through
And I thank the lord there's people out there like you
I thank the lord there's people out there like you

While mona lisas and mad hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light

This Broadway's got
It's got a lot of songs to sing
If I knew the tunes I might join in
I'll go my way alone
Grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown in New York City

Subway's no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown
And I thank the lord for the people I have found
I thank the lord for the people I have found

Wish you were here to sit for a bit in the piazza. Wish you were here to 'bake some brownies, today'...to be a mad hatter and watch the mona lisas strolling like it's perfectly normal to be a mona lisa...

There are people in the piazza below laughing over cocktails and Joni is skating away on her river.

And, me, I thank the lord for the people I have found.

Peace

Transformation: A marked change, as in appearance or character, usually for the better.

I took a little test to discover which Tarot card represents me best.

La Morte

Va tutto bene, ora calmati. E' la carta della trasformazione e del movimento, il necessario abbandono del passato per accedere a un futuro pieno di promesse. Nella tua vita hai affrontato situazioni pesanti e difficili, nelle quali hai visto crollare le tue illusioni. E' stato necessario chiudere col passato, troncare legami, abitudini, situazioni, ormai divenuti rami secchi. Ma tu riesci a evolvere in modo inarrestabile davanti alle difficoltà. Riesci sempre a fare un salto di qualità, anche se non ti senti preparato. Hai spesso in mente nuovi progetti, nuove idee, nuove circostanze, nuova vita, naturalmente col suo prezzo da pagare: tutto segue la logica del passaggio e della rinascita e se una sconfitta c'è stata, deve essere accettata per l'utile lezione che porta con sé. Devi sapere trarre insegnamento da ogni tuo passo. La forza evidentemente non ti manca. Sei una persona molto riflessiva e analitica; a volte ti perdi nella gravità dei tuoi pensieri, per poi tornare a sorridere non appena qualcuno ti si affianca con gentilezza e rispetto.

The Tarot Card of Death
Stay calm! Everything is ok. This is the card of transformation and movement and the necessity to abandon the past in order to move into a future full of promise. In your life, you have confronted tough situations and thus have destroyed crippling illlusions. It was necessary to leave the past behind, to cut ties and change habits to avoid becoming stagnant. But you have been able to evolve and move ahead past difficulty. You have managed to raise yourself up, taking on new and better challanges-even if you did not really feel ready. You often have new projects and ideas and naturally, you have had to pay the price of rebirth: to leave behind what you were and learn the lessons to become who you are- all by yourself. You do not lack strength. You are very reflective and analytical and sometimes lose yourself in the graveness of your thoughts but are able to rally when you have someone beside you who is gentle and respectful.

BREAKTHROUGH: An act of overcoming or penetrating an obstacle or restriction.

TODAY I HAD A BREAKTHROUGH. I AM STUDYING. I AM READING ACTIVELY. I AM LEARNING. I AM PROCESSING INFORMATION. I AM NOT STUPID. I AM ENJOYING MYSELF.

Flowofconsciousness....................................

ok, so this is my flow of consciousness exercise in freestyle writing because even if school officially starts next monday, the online course sylabus - ok how do you spell syllabus - was available yesterday so i sat down and started. STARTED. STARTED to STUDY. i am freaking out. honestly freaking. my mind is so lazy, i mean i read vogue, for crumb sake. yes, i read the new york times (hey, there is the new adobe 2.0 times reader and it is awesome) and i love classic literature and my favourite writer is edith wharton but when i read that stuff there is nothing a stake!!!!!

ok, so breathe and remember that this first course, intro to college reading and writing, is exactly what i need to build the foundation necessary to face the next four or five years (!) and i am going to be ok. i just need to focus.

oh, yeah, how do you focus? i look at the pages and i get confused. i am confused already!

i am not going to have a nervous breakdown. (don't worry folks, this blog entry is based on reality but i am using comic relief for affect.)

ok, so, i have my study time set up and i am so excited about my books and i am facing the music. it is time to rock. ROCK.

Rock and Breathe. now, GO!

Definition: A determination of outline, extent, or limits:

I will only ever be defined by my choices. I choose this, I pass on that. I take this and miss the other. I stand here and not over there. I pick up this book because there is only time for one, and so the words of one will be ingested, while the words of the other will find their way to another's eyes and so on.

There is definition in these final days of summer as the light goes quicker and the winds come up and the blankets come out. My little dog needs a light sweater for morning walks. I am now donning my pancho and am more likely to proffer a cup of hot tea than a tall glass of lemonaid.
The other night I went for a swim at twilight with a friend and as we treaded water and talked ideas the night seemed to say, 'Children, come out of that water. You'll catch a cold.'
After dinner the equally loving and interesting hosts of the evening invited me to a very magical full moon blooming of some magnificent, other-worldly, bigger-than-life flowers that, facing their wide mouths upward toward the orb, glowed in her glory and moved gently as bees drunkenly flew here and there, intoxicated by the perfume.
We were intoxicated, too, by the water, night air, full light and conversation. And, as I bid farewell, and was driven down the hill and back to the city by the master of the house, I reflected on the moon and her light and the way the world looks when she shines.
I will only ever be defined by my choices. My choice of nourishment and beverage, movement or rest, music or silence, book or newspaper, dog or cat, high heels or ballerina flats, breath deep or shallow, stretch forward or back, the red coat or camel one, the summer here or the summer there. And with each choice I must make the most of the moments and the days, no matter how long or short they may be. And with each choice I cherish what comes with choosing.
A good friend is leaving her job to write her thesis. She made her choice. She is braving the next six months without a proper job to concentrate on finishing what she started. I wish her a happy choice and a happy birthday.
And to all of you, a nice, hot, cup of tea and warmer blanket to see you into the longer nights ahead.