week 1…death Thursday, Jan 6 2011

“Did you ever know that you’re my hero, and everything I would like to be? I can fly higher than an eagle, ’cause you are the wind beneath my wings.” Wind Beneath my Wings is the song that they sung at my great grandmother and great- grandfather’s funeral, the two funerals that touched me the most and the only time I have cried at the many funerals I have attended. First my great-grandmother died because she thought my great-grandfather abandoned her; nevertheless he was in the hospital sick. We did not tell my great-grandfather that my grandmommy had died because then he would give up on his health and die as well. But we had to hold off a few weeks and tell him because it was time for the funeral. At grandmommy’s funeral I had to read the scriptures and did not cry until midway through. My heart was broken that the lady who was the center of our family and held us together had really left Earth to return to our Father. Granddaddy was fine after the funeral but had to return to the hospital to improve his health. Granted he was in the hospital, his sickness was not life or death. About two weeks after the funeral my mom told me that granddaddy died. My great grandfather, Carlos Monroe passed away because of a broken heart. So when his funeral came along, I was supposed to be the lector and read the readings. But when Father Allen called me up to read, my legs would not allow me, my heart would not save me from breaking down and crying. I was very strong about the situation until the funeral and realized the couple that has been married for seventy years, the couple who began this big family of ours, the couple who inspired me to never settle for less….was gone and never was returning

Leave a Response »

 

11 Monday, Dec 13 2010

 

 

Farmer definitely tries his hardest to balance with the need for attending his high-profile meetings and his love and desire to treat his patients. Of course attending his meetings is important because it will keep everyone updated on his current doings and also keeps him popular. But, isn’t taking care of a patient far more important? Patients are obviously visiting him for a reason, THEY ARE SICK. Many are dying, and need his love, affection, and attention.

 

Leave a Response »

 

wk 13 Monday, Dec 13 2010

Since we are at the end of the semester, I feel that Xavier is the school for me. Granted it is not a big party school opposed to my other choices and it is pretty strict. I feel it fits me and keeps me balanced. I have many things to look forward to and being on track is the perfect way to succeed. Xavier’s mission only makes me want to strive further and help many more people.

My friends here at Xavier also play a big role in me loving the school. When I went back home to Los Angeles for break, I kind of missed New Orleans, but realized it was only because my friends had grown on me. They keep a smile on my face and all have different personalities that balance all of us out as a whole. Each one of us want to do something different (all different majors) in life but all meet Xavier’s goals of changing society. One friend wants to be a doctor, another a pharmacist, one a teacher, and me foreign services. These are all different career paths but only goes to show that you can change the world besides being a doctor like Farmer. I look forward to next semester and the  classes that I will be taking seem interesting. I really did not have any troubles with professors this semester and hope and pray it stays that way for the following years.

 

Leave a Response »

 

wk 7 Monday, Dec 13 2010

Money plays a big role in Farmer’s quest to provide health care. But, it is not the type of money where he charges his patients a substantial amount for his services; it is the type of money where he may have to get loans and grants from other people to help out his patients. Farmer does not mind going into debt to help people increase their healthy lifestyles.

In this world, money is not everything. Every time I think of money, the old saying “money is the root to all evil” comes to mind. If Farmer did not have money he would not be able to help the people of Haiti, as well as his American patients. Granted in my opinion money is the root to everything, money still is needed to help people survive, especially Haitians. Now Haiti is faced with the troubles of cholera and money is the only thing that will help these people get better because people need to buy medicine for the victims or vaccines to prevent people from getting it. We need more people like Farmer in the world who do not mind donating their time and MONEY in order to change our world for the better.

 

Leave a Response »

 

wk 11 Monday, Nov 15 2010

Aw! Good job Antonio

I definitely love your example of Farmer have a heart of a lion and spirit of a dove. Farmer is very strong and can take on any situation but is very calm and loving, just like a lion and a dove. Furthermore, even though your religious background does not play a role and inspire you to help others, it is still good that you found some type of way in succeeding at these tasks. I can agree with you in saying that Farmer is my inspiration and I do not mind following his footsteps to a certain extent! Keep up the good work Antonio! J

Pianostar

I am aware that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I disagree with you when you say that Farmer’s religion plays a small role in his work. Yes you have valid reasons for your opinion and it is very logical. I feel that even though Farmer is a doctor, not every doctor goes above and beyond, all the way to being a doctor without borders in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country, Haiti. Of course Farmer is not going to admit that he is a saint because he is very modest and humble. But I love how your religion plays a big role in your life. J good job!

Dnguyen28

Wow! Your blog hits it on the spot! I agree with everything that you said about Paul Farmer and his Catholic heritage. I am also a strong believer of the Golden Rule and believe giving back to the community is only fair because we have good lives so why not help someone else achieve the same.

One Response »

 

wk 9 Thursday, Nov 11 2010

Julian McKnight

 

Xavier University of Louisiana mission statement ultimate purpose is to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles in leadership and service in a global society. The preparation takes place in a diverse learning and teaching environment that incorporates all relevant educational means, including research and community services.

 

I believe that the mission statement is executed in the curriculum and on Xavier’s campus. The students are developed into becoming leaders once they arrive on campus. They are taught the importance and notified about the differences of the world in order to be kept abreast of the current issues. The campus always aids with worldly issues and is known for its service of giving. I believe that Xavier instills these qualities in the students, especially by requiring them to complete a service project in freshman seminar. The campus has many organizations that host multiple activities, which mainly consist of community service. Students can complete programs in order to become great leaders. Students are also required to take courses that don’t pertain to their major such as theology and philosophy. Xavier requires such actions in order to develop well-rounded individuals to improve society. Some recognize the institution as a liberal arts school because of its diverse learning requirements.

 

Xavier does a great job of implementing there mission statement and developing leaders of tomorrow.  They are producing individuals who think outside the box and can solve critical problems in the real world.

 

Leave a Response »

 

wk 6 Saturday, Nov 6 2010

Farmer is seen as a saint to his patient and colleagues because everything he does he is so passionate about. He does not let anything discourage him from helping his patients and he goes above and beyond for them, no matter how much money he has left, he will make sure they are healthy. Farmer’s Catholic heritage plays a role in his life because he gives and sacrifices his time to poor countries, Haiti. My Catholic heritage has played the biggest role in my life and work. Everything that I do I think about God and what would Jesus do. I was raised, baptized, and confirmed Catholic; hence, God plays a big role in my life. I do a lot of Campus Ministry. Out of my groups of friends, I am viewed as the inspirational one because I always state, “God is always there.” Since I was kid, I have been in Catholic school and now I am at a Catholic University.  At a catholic elementary and high school you are required to take a religion class every semester, so I have a lot of background on different religions. Some people who have not had this experience can be very ethnocentric and think of their religion superior to others. But being raised Catholic, I know that no culture is better than another; instead, you can say your religion just fits you best opposed to others. Being a Catholic has made me a well-rounded student, I am very open about everything but I am not mean about my openness. I love to help people out in situations that need guidance. I am very inspired my beliefs and passionate about everything I do.

I think Farmer has become my idol in some ways just because he is doing the type of work that i would like to do. Well to a certain extent, i want to help young girls and women in developing countries and i do not care how long it takes or how much it money it takes, i will make sure i succeed in making a good change.

 

4 Responses »

 

wk 10 Saturday, Nov 6 2010

October 31, 2010

Dear Ms. Osterbur,

This semester has been the best with you. Even though your class requires tons of reading and comprehension. Introduction to Women’s Studies has given me a perspective that I would have never even paid attention to, a feminist. I am still a little confused on all of the types, but I do think in my future if I do become an actual feminist, I would choose third wave feminism. Women’s studies has also grown on me because my minor is now Women’s Studies; therefore, I will be able to help young girls and women in less developing countries with issues like feminization of poverty, FGM, human trafficking etc. I did not want to take that class at first because I really felt I didn’t care about women’s issues; but now I am hungry for information of women’s rights and also human’s rights because of Dr. Manley. You are also my advisor, and I want to thank you for all your help with my craziness. First I wanted to switch majors, then switch minors, and basically switch everything, but you guided me through and helped me a lot. Next semester should be exciting because I have you for two classes and you will still be my advisor. You are definitely my favorite professor so I thank you so much for going above and beyond for me in some of my situations like writing me out a whole new schedule because of the purse accident or me losing my alternate pin. Overall, you have grown on me as a professor and I will enjoy future classes with you. Thank you J

Sincerely,

Jade Romain

Leave a Response »

 

Katharine Drexel Wednesday, Oct 13 2010

I believe that Katharine Drexel would be very pleased with Xavier University of Louisiana. One, we live up to Xavier’s mission by helping the community. Two, we are still a Catholic university and still have Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament on our campus teaching. Three, she started this school for the minorities, blacks, and Xavier is still predominately black.  Xavier is the number one school for sending African American students to medical school, which is something everyone should be proud about. I do not think there is anything that she would dislike at this school, besides us freshmen having to take showers in community bathrooms and having no visitation, except on Fridays and Saturdays. She would probably dislike that she cannot attend Xavier football games either. Katharine Drexel would love listening to Xavier’s Gospel Choir at 6 o’clock masses on Sundays (I am apart of choir J). And she would probably enjoy hearing me reading at mass too.  I think Katharine Drexel would admire that many students are involved in either one or more extracurricular activity, from sports all the way to helping with Red Cross. Xavier’s student body is very involved, and I think this makes all of us well -rounded individuals that will aim far in life. Xavier is not just any university; we are more of a family. Majority of the time you see the same people everyday and make friends with them, usually these are the people who you stay friends with and grow old together. Like I said, there are only minor things that St. Katharine Drexel will dislike and say “Oh Lord” too, but as a whole, she will be very proud of her accomplishments and admire that Xavier is only growing and improving. She is looking down from Heaven at her masterpiece and I am sure she is smiling from ear to ear. Thank you St. Katharine Drexel!

 

Leave a Response »

 

Fav Class Sunday, Sep 19 2010

My favorite class at Xavier University would have to be Human Rights in Global History. My major is Political Science but I am doing a dual concentration in Spanish and History. So, I am very interested in human rights and history. In class, we discuss the origin of human rights and how each person is entitled to egalitarian human rights. Dr. Manley also discusses the development of the United Nations and why it came about.

I really cannot write 300 words about this….

2 Responses »