Back on the Beat

Wow... it's been a while since I have posted on ethos! No, I haven't been sleeping on the job, and yes, much has been happening around Penn State lately. I am ready to resume the role of roving sociologist. There are so many things that intrigue me about the Penn State environment besides the football team. But I must admit that a lot of "W's" does make Happy Valley a bit happier. I look forward to keeping you posted.

Sophia

Sophia is hoping to become an optometrist. She seemed hesitant at first (Who are these strange Georgians and what do they want) but she soon smiled at our southern drawl and willingly shared with us.

What would you say you are passionate about? Being around people and learning new things

Where does this passion come from? From my parents. They always challenged me to learn and to get to know people. My parents are a very important part of my life.

Do you have any kind of spiritual background? Catholic but I’m not overly religious

Has your experience in the Catholic Church been helpful to you during the hard times? Somewhat. Basically what I’ve learned from my parents has shaped who I am.

On a scale of 1 -10 (10 being the highest) how much do these beliefs influence your daily choices? 6.

Are you content with that or would you like to see a change in that number? I’d like to see a change but I think it will stay the same. I go to church when I am at home but not when I am at school. I’m too busy.

Kendra

Kendra was a bright spot in our day. She is passionate about life and it is contagious. She invited us to sit with her as she ate lunch and for that I am extremely grateful. We enjoyed talking with you, Kendra!

What would you say you are passionate about? Art, music and family

Where does this passion come from? Family is important to me now more than ever because I am away from home. I also value community.

Do you have any kind of spiritual background? Lutheran.

Has your experience in the Lutheran Church been helpful to you during the hard times? Sometimes. My pastor at home has helped me a lot. I go to church when I am at home but not so here. I pray every night before I go to sleep and I try to live a good life.

On a scale of 1 -10 (10 being the highest) how much do these beliefs influence your daily choices? About a 5. Its hard to focus on my religion since I am so busy with school and away from home. I would go to church if I had someone to go with me.

Jana

Jana was a breath of fresh air and had a beautiful smile. She readily welcomed us “Georgians” and I thoroughly enjoyed talking with her.

Kinesiology

What would you say you are passionate about? Helping people and working with children

Where does this passion come from? I was injured as a child and I like to help others like people helped me. I also babysat a lot and kept a special needs child and this helped too.

Do you have any kind of spiritual background? Catholic but its not a huge part of my life, but it is there

On a scale of 1 -10 (10 being the highest) how much do these beliefs influence your daily choices? Like a 7. I believe most of what Catholics believe. I haven’t had time to really find a church here because my classes take up most of my time.

Larry

Where are you from? South Jersey
What is your major? Marketing
What would you say that you are passionate about? I am passionate about my family and sports mostly.
Do you have any kind of spiritual background? I grew up Methodist but converted to Catholicism later.
Has your experience there been helpful to you in figuring out what's really important? Not really.
Has it given you any answers to your harder questions about life? Yes it has given me hope. My dad passed away when I was 17, and it helped me to get through that.
On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest), how much do these beliefs influence your daily choices? 7

Brittany

What would you say you are passionate about?
Learning everything their is to learn about everything
Do you have any kind of spiritual background?
no
Has your experience there been helpful to you in figuring out what's really important in life?
I do not really believe that I need a spiritual background. I can figure things out by myself.
Has figuring out things on your own helped you out in the harder decisions in life?
I have my own views and I just do whatever works I think works

George

What is your major? Business
What would say you are passionate about? Music and sleep.
What kind of music do you like? Rock: Classical and Alternative, my favorite band is 3:11
Do you have any kind of spiritual background? My family is Greek Orthodox and so I was raised that way, and then I went to Catholic school for 12 years.
Has your experience with these influences been helpful to you in figuring out what's really important in life? Not really, I have kind of strayed from religion for right now. I am searching for what I believe and not what I have been told to believe.
What do you believe? I don't really know. I know that people in the church talk about Jesus and God and all of that, but I don't know if I believe in all that was taught to me at school or really at home.
Who do you think Jesus is? I think that he was a good man, I don't think that he is the son of God or anything, but I do believe that he existed. I think that the Bible exaggerates and almost makes up the story of Jesus.
What do you think about God? I believe that he exists, but I don't really think that he controls as much as the Bible tells he does. I am really questionable about believing the Bible, it was written by man and so I don't know how much I can trust. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being highest), How much do these beliefs influence your daily choices? 2 or 3
What do you want to do with your life, what is a goal? To be a good person.