Fight Gas Prices, Ride Your Bike

We watched the documentary film Who Killed the Electric Car? a few nights ago and I was (once again) outraged by the mentality we have in this country that even when human and environmental health is at stake, "the Man" (in this case car companies, oil companies, and politicians) decides that electric cars aren't profitable enough. Even when consumers wanted the alternative cars, the EV (electric vehicle) was squelched. And I'm not saying just the program was squelched, the cars- every one of them was literally compacted and recycled, effectively killing the electric car. You have to see this film. It pissed me off enough to take action- in my own miniscule way.

Folks, I'm going to do something I should've done a long time ago. Actually, I did do a long time ago out of simple economics rather than principle. I'm buying a bus pass and parking my car (my new car, mind you) for as long as I possibly can. I'm going to walk, bike, ride my way to wherever I need to go. Yes, there is freedom in getting in the car and driving wherever one pleases, but that freedom has a cost (freedom isn't free.....) Not just monetary (though the price per gallon is getting ridiculous) but what about the air we breathe? Are we that much of an instantly gratified society that we don't care how much our decisions affect the health of humans and other creatures?

The sucky part about all this is that we have the technology to use cars that don't pollute so much. Unfortunately, these new techonologies are not profitable enough for "the Man." So, the projects (like fully electric, practical cars) that could help us be energy independent and less polluting get sabotaged. It's enough to make you feel powerless. But, alas, there is always something little old me and you can do. Drive less, be informed, support new cleaner technologies. Can we resolve to change the world, one decision at a time? I think so. I know I sound like a commercial, but at least what I'm trying to sell might actually help us.

Just call me "Counselor Cholee"

Well, not quite yet. Perhaps "counselor in training" will do for now. I have finally taken the next step in my education and will be starting graduate school this summer at St. Martin's Masters in Counseling Psychology program. I have been pinching myself for the last week since I found out I've been accepted into the program. Me, high school drop-out who almost didn't even make it to college to get a bachelor's. I am one of the first in my family to go for an advanced degree. Can't wait to get back in the classroom. I'm, clearly, pretty geeked up about the whole thing!

I know that I am on the cusp of something big here - of satisfying my curiosity about human behavior and human nature, relationships, my own identity, and being able to commit myself fully to making this world a better place, one soul at a time. I also know that I have no real concept of what I will discover about myself- that this kind of willingness to explore the depths of humanity will inevitably lead me to some aspects about myself that will be distressing, albeit illuminating.

If you know me, you know I am all about change, evolution, growth. This will be the ultimate challenge, to prove that I am truly open to learning and growing. I have no doubt that what I learn will make me a better person and hope that I can extend some of that learning to help others along the way. This summer I'll be learning about individual counseling theories and techniques along with family therapy.

While I was giving a student a lift to the bus stop the other day and mentioned I was taking MAC classes, he asked, "You're not analyzing me right now are you?" What could I say? I've been analyzing people since before I even knew what it meant to "analyze." The analysis is more related to curiosity than judgement, though. This inclination to "figure people out" is part of what compells me to learn more about psychology. Stay tuned for all my foibles, realizations, and frustrations................

All Things Are Possible...

This mantra has been swimming around in my head for the last few weeks. I think I heard it during a playback theatre performance a while back. It's true. How do I know this? Because in the past few weeks a group of my colleagues achieved the impossible- raised enough money to send one of our students back to Sudan to see his mother for the first time in 17 years. It's an amazing story- which started when he came to the U.S. as a refugee- one of many "Lost Boys." He has seen such death and devastation, such hopelessness, yet his life has taught him that all things are possible. He not only survived the brutal civil war in Sudan that is STILL GOING ON. He entered college, is learning about community service, and as part of an internship is going to travel home to apply what he has learned here to help his people. Gives me chills just thinking about the journey he is about to travel.

Also has me thinking about what we can accomplish when we join together and act for a cause we believe in. Even if our lives have somehow taught us that a pre-determined destiny is greater than our own intentions, the power of hope cannot be underestimated. Somehow, the pieces fall into place and all we can do is give thanks. Stay tuned for updates from Sudan this summer- there will be a blogging component to my student's internship.