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Think Tank Day 3

Day 3 of school is going to be a big one - and the homework is piling to a very uncomfortable height.

I cannot be blamed, however, for my lack of completing my first three weeks of homework for my Introduction to International Relations class. My books are still lost in space, and all of the surrounding bookstores and libraries are sold out! I finally had such a breakdown last night that I overnighted it from a different internet source and will have it waiting at home for me when I get home from school today. I cannot tell you what a relief this is to me, but wouldn't have time to if I wanted because of the amount of reading I have to make up.

It's going to be a long week...

Almost as long as this day. On top of the two three-hour classes that keep me in the classroom until dinner time, I then am going to stop in on a quick intro to Chinese session on my way to meet Aaron at Barnes and Noble. We then are going to hop on a train to a Buddhist meditation center in order to catch the evening meditation session as an experience for me to write my first paper on in my International Relations and Religion course.

My morning was dedicated to packing both lunch and dinner to carry us through our entire day in Boston. Our bed is going to feel very soft tonight.
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Think Tank: Day 2

Religion is a very personal subject. Although a level of tolerance accompanies maturity, voices are quick to defend what they believe because each mouth speaks from a heart who believes with their whole heart that their beliefs are in fact true. And those who hold no religious beliefs are often very opinionated anyways.

And thus I am realizing that my "Religion and International Relations" class is going to be a very interesting one. It is only our first week discussing the material and already debates and discussions were raging more than any IWU class I've taken. Lines were not crossed, and everyone handled the topics at hand properly, but this is only just the beginning.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the topics that we have been reading up on for this course. So far we have loosely covered the origins of International Religions, the coming about of statehood, and how many International professionals deliberately chose to ignore the role of religion in our world's culture, politics, and economics until of late. My favorite concept, however, is that of the "secularization theory," stating that as we progress in modernity, we also will progress in secularization (the demise of religions, etc...). But just very recently, many of the originators of this very theory have recanted their position and now are stating that we are currently in a period of "desecularization," where world religions, very traditional ones at that (not affected or compromised by modernity) are experiencing a surprising and unexplainable resurgence. Huh... imagine that.

I love it.

For the first time in my life I am struggling through these concepts with peers who do not share my background and beliefs - at all. Each hand that is raised does not merely bring an opinion of merely a different theological background, but an entirely different ethnic, cultural, and religious background. It is beautiful and it is very different.

I am eager to continue on with this course's readings and hopeful that I will finally receive my books in the mail for my other course. Needless to say, I am a little behind. :)
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A Success Worth Sharing

This week I decided to try out a recipe I found for Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili. It sounded delicious and is delightfully good for you. It was a smashing success, to say the least, and I highly recommend it to all.

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili

"A rich, dark and flavorful combination of our favorite Southwestern flavors. It also doesn't hurt that sweet potatoes and black beans both make the cut as superfoods." (As described on Eatingwell.com

2 Servings, 2 cups each
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 1 small sweet potato, peeled and diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle chile, (see Note)
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 1/3 cups water
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed
  • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

PREPARATION

  1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and potato and cook, stirring often, until the onion is slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, chipotle and salt and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add water, bring to a simmer, cover, reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the potato is tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Add beans, tomatoes and lime juice; increase heat to high and return to a simmer, stirring often. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook until slightly reduced, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in cilantro.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 374 calories; 6 g fat (1 g sat, 4 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 67 g carbohydrates; 14 g protein; 15g fiber; 699 mg sodium; 603 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (410% daily value), Vitamin C (45% dv), Iron (30% dv), Potassium (17% dv).

312 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 4 starch, 1 1/2 vegetable, 1 fat


The only change that I made to this recipe is that I left out the lime juice and cilantro (not by choice, but just for lack of groceries). Instead, we added a finishing touch of flavor with melted mozzarella on top and a dollop of sour cream. It was outstanding!


Enjoy!

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Charisma House proudly presents...


The Jack Duvall
"The Man with the Golden Arm" EP
(Cody Michael Nicolas)

Released August 23, 2010 @ Jaho Coffee and Tea in Salem, MA

Over the past month, Charisma House has joined its efforts and donated its space to the recording of The Jack Duvall's debut EP, "The Man with the Golden Arm." I had the honor of recording vocals and a Cambodian pipe on the EP, as well as creating the album art with my husband, Aaron James Nicolas.

Listen for yourself at: www.myspace.com/thejackduvall



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First Day in the Think Tank

I awoke at 5:15 a.m., spiffed up, had breakfast with my husband and the Lord, boarded the commuter rail, traveled the subways, and arrived at my first class, Introduction to International Relations, at 9 a.m.

And thus begins my graduate education. In Boston.

I had orientation a week ago, and Aaron and I simply sat shaking our heads at the unbelievable credentials that spilled forth as my department's professors introduced themselves to the present students. To say that I am surrounded with some of the most brilliant minds in my field would be an understatement. It seems all of my leaders have already lived more than successful careers and have settled into a happy retirement of challenging the young minds of those who will someday, hopefully, be their successors. C.I.A. retirees, ambassadors, international experts, historians, and Congressional advisors are just a few of whom I will be learning from. Michael Corgan, my first professor this morning, after a full and successful navy and teaching career at the top military schools in the nation, served as the top military advisor (I may be slightly sketchy on that exact title) to the top leaders in Iceland.

Professor Corgan is excellent and I am already excited and hungry for the elevated level of talent and expertise that I have the priveledge of sitting through this semester.

I am off to Professor Prodomou next (Religions and International Relations), whom I first met with on my visit in December, who it is safe to say is one of my idols. She is the head of my specific field of study: International Relations and Religion, and reports and advises Congress on how to deal with religious injustices around the world, among many other very important things. She is incredible.

My classmates represent most of the world. Americans are definitely in the minority. It is excellent! So many different ethnicities and religions are openly represented - I am eager to learn alongside such individuals.

And it is refreshing to finally see the final piece of my fall life schedule fall into place. Work is balancing out with nine hour opening shifts almost every day that I am not at Boston U (which is only Wednesdays). Aaron and I are fighting to protect our Sundays - our Sabbath and day off - which I only continue to learn of its importance as I progress in life.

Things are good. Moral is high. And I am enjoying my first day in the city, finally fully submerged in my "Think Tank."
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Home Sweet Home

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A Husband and Wife's "9 Crimes"

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Jocelyn Nicolas

    • I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world. -Mother Teresa
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    Jocelyn Nicolas
    Salem, Massachusetts, United States
    I am a young woman, just married to the love of my life, Aaron James Nicolas. I recently graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a B.S. in International and Community Development and will continue my educational journey this fall at Boston University pursuing a Master's degree in International Relations and Religion. I am a journalist. I am a Turbo Kick Instructor. I am a musician and member of The La De Les. I am a friend and a daughter. I am an earnestly seeking disciple of Jesus Christ.
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    Blog Archive

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        • Think Tank Day 3
        • Think Tank: Day 2
        • A Success Worth Sharing
        • Charisma House proudly presents...
        • First Day in the Think Tank
        • Home Sweet Home
        • A Husband and Wife's "9 Crimes"
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