Science Class

Chemistry - "That branch of science which treats of the composition of substances, and of the changes which they undergo in consequence of alterations in the constitution of the molecules, which depend upon variations of the number, kind, or mode of arrangement, of the constituent atoms. These atoms are not assumed to be indivisible, but merely the finest grade of subdivision hitherto attained. Chemistry deals with the changes in the composition and constitution of molecules." (Webster's Unabridged Dictionary)

Chemistry - "Not only the study of the properties of matter and the changes it undergoes, chemistry can also define people's relationships. As all chemists know, chemistry is extremely complicated. Between sublimation, atomic masses, moles, beta and alpha decay, oxidation numbers, emperical formulas, diatomic molecules, stoichiometry, molarity, kinetics, brownsted-lowry acids and bases, titration, redox equations, hydrocarbons, isomers, , and of course the one and only equilibrium, there is so much to understand in the scientific world of chemistry.

However, what some chemists might underestimate is the figure it plays when speaking of "bonds" between two completely different people or molecules. Since they are coming from different families or groups, they of course have different properties and characteristics. Yet through forces of attraction, such as vanderwaals, they are able to bond. This is because chemical reactions occur and two different people exist in equilibrium.

Alright. We are sure you are sick of hearing these chem terms, as are we. So basically chemistry is a way of describing a friendship, not only a science. Although many fights and conflicts occur, there is some sort of chemistry that brings two souls back together. And though they may drift apart, these forces will never be able to be broken. As they say, Chemistry is everything. So I guess friendship is everything." (Urban Dictionary.com)

Huh.

Interesting.

Possibly.

What to keep, and what to toss? What do YOU think? Homework - discuss.

Sunday Snippet

It was a good day - I felt like I got something important out of all three meetings, and the things I got were all tied together. I appreciate the reinforcement, what with being a *little* hard-headed, and all.

The Sunday School lesson focused on the importance of learning -

And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.
Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—
…And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
- Doctrine and Covenants 88:77-80, 118

Look at that list! There is so much to study and learn, and no way we could ever get to it all... we really don't have time to waste when it comes to the things we "study". As discussed in our class, in the end it's not really about WHAT we study, as it is about "learning how to learn". Learning to learn and making a habit of learning from the best books does not seem to include space for procrastination and filling our heads with mental cotton candy.

I was having a related conversation with my neice this evening (well, "conversation" might be a bit strong, as it was more of me on a soapbox with her staring, wide-eyed) - we were discussing books, and looking over the ones she might take with her this week to EFY. She had a pile of very old, very harmless historical romantic fiction novels - in fact, I remember reading those very books when I was her age. I remembered, too, that my mother had once warned me against reading romance novels - and that over the following years, I ignored her advice. Now, every few months I make another resolution to stop reading them. Talk about your mental cotton candy - they are in no way productive, or inspiring, or "of good report"... they just sit and rot your brain with fantasy and escapism. I was reminded rather forcefully in church today that I simply don't have time for that kind of thing - I should/could be learning Spanish, figuring out how science and religion mesh, studying for grad school, reading biographies of important people, working on family history, discovering the different ways in which the written word can be truly beautiful... etc... (all of which is covered in books currently living, unopened, on my bookshelves.)

Along with my newest resolution to give up sugar (starting tomorrow - I had to have one final milkshake tonight) I will also be giving up (PERMANENTLY) romance novels. I don't need any of that in my body or brain, and there are plenty of other things on which I can and will be spending my time.

***In the interest of full disclosure, however, I will admit that I just started re-reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and that books Six and Seven are also on my current list, to be finished before the next movie comes out in two weeks. (Look for the review!)***

Day 16 - Lessons Learned (So Far)

Two weeks ago, while coaching drama students, I reminded them that the point of drama is for characters to get what they want, and that no one ever gets what they want by being angry at other people. Just "being angry", no matter how magnificently you do it, doesn't get you anything. In yet another case of Theatre Is Just Like Life, I realized it's the same in the real world. If you are going to get what you want out of the time you've got, it won't be by sitting around being mad about things.

Today, I saw the corollary brilliantly enacted: having psychotic breakdowns will ALSO not get you what you want. This is not to demean those who have had ACTUAL breakdowns - it is to say that being a massive drama queen, panicking, swearing, screaming, crying, and pounding on the floor (and other things) will not accomplish much besides ticking off the downstairs neighbors and frightening the impressionable youngsters watching you go all to pieces.

It's hard to ask for help if you're too busy making sure everyone within a five-mile radius knows The Universe (And Everyone In It) Has Wronged You, you know?