Kōan

Humanity has a tendency to use logic and reason as much as possible to try and explain the world around us. Even in the case of religion, often there are set patterns or explanations, that always follow certain rules. Whether or not these rules comply with other rules from other ideologies isn’t pertinent; the fact remains that they follow their own logic, and that makes people happy. However, there has always been a gap in what logic and reason can explain about humanity, and what we don’t know. Anyone who has ever felt lost or confused, questioning themselves or the people around them because nothing they know can explain what is happening, realizes this deficit. It is pain, truly, especially to those with a science or pattern based mind, those who thrive in logic and reason. How can they know /humanity/ when there’s such an obvious lack what that can teach us? The solution is simple in theory, but cripplingly impossible in practice, especially as minds refuse to let go to what they think they know. Let go of reason. Let go of logic. At the risk of sounding cliche, reason and logic can’t explain what the heart feels, only the heart can. These two Koans speak on what may seem to be separate topics, but I feel actually can comprise one. In fact, all the Koans ideally speak towards the same goal; Enlightenment and Zen. Reaching Nirvana. As all minds are different, each grasps different stories, different Koans, in different ways. These struck particularly hard. “No…

DETERMINATION OF pKa AND pKb USING ACID-BASE TITRATIONS Introduction Acid-base titrations can be used to determine pKa of a weak acid and pKb of a base. A weak acid and a weak base incompletely dissociate in water. For this reason, the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-) depend on equilibrium coefficients of acid (Ka) and base (Kb). Equation 1 shows the chemical dissociation equation of a weak acid. Furthermore, Equation 2 describes the equilibrium constant of a weak…

Certain roller coasters hold records for being the tallest or for being the fastest. One of those record-breaking roller coasters is the Kingda Ka. The Kingda Ka is the tallest steel roller coaster and the second fastest steel roller coaster in the United States available for the public. “This upside down U-shaped track bolts up 45 stories in the sky—that’s 456 feet high!” (Six Flags). At the pinnacle of the roller coaster the cart possesses a lot of potential energy which converts into kinetic…

ISANG TIKBALANG KA LANG: A CRITIQUE PAPER By: Izelle Josef Li of ABM 11 This paper critiques the short story, titled “Isang Tikbalang Ka Lang,” from the book “Wag Lang Di Makaraos” by Filipino writer, Eros S. Atalia. Atalia grew up in Cavite City. He got his Bachelor’s Degree on Secondary Education major in Filipino at the Philippine Normal University in 1996 and got his Master’s Degree on Arts in Language and Literature at De La Salle University – Manila in 2008. His poem “Maririing Tusok…

CRITIQUE PAPER “ISANG TIKBALANG KA LANG” The story “Isang Tikbalang Ka Lang” is written by Eros Atalia. It is all about the traditional courtship in the Philippines and the possible outcome of it. When you read the story you will realize that you shouldn’t trust anyone and you shouldn’t give all of you easily. Because some people are just there to make our lives miserable and some people are also there to get the things that we have. We all know that tikbalang and duwende are some of the…

Have you ever dreamed of living in one of the most visited Island in the world, Hawaii? It is one of the most visited islands in the world because it has gorgeous crystal clear beaches and coasts in the world. Not to mention, Hawaii has active volcanoes in which people enjoy because it is one of the few places that people get to see an active volcano up close. However, having a few active volcanoes in Hawaii can be a threat to the island and to the people. It is important to discuss why do…

KAETHE KOLLWITZ: THE MANIFESTO AND THE WOMB Throughout the history of modern art, with few exceptions, the contribution of women in the realm has always been dwarfed by the men. For many people with a deep interest in the Expressionist movement, Kaethe Kollwitz is one of those exceptions. Her prints and illustrations have been hailed for both their complexity in technique and strong emotive renderings of her subjects. Kollwitz is best associated with socialist political leanings and a sympathy…

The pounding of my heart was inevitable as I looked up at the coaster. Standing 420 feet tall The Top Thrill Dragster was staring me down. Watching it in action was a sight to see. Reaching top speeds of 120 mile per hour was the fastest I would have ever gone in my life by far. I have never had a fear of coasters but this one was a different story. Cedar Point is home to the fastest roller coaster in the world. On this trip this ride was the focal point of the trip. No one realized how…

1 What is the title of the song and the name of the composer(s) (if known)? Ka Tangi Te Kuri E by Dr. Pita Sharples 2 What is the song about? The song is about the different sounds or ‘cries’ that a variety of animals make. These animals are a dog, a cat, a bird, and a cow. It involves the sound that the animals make individually, and then listed off in order. As if the animals are singing together. Each animal begins with a description of the action and then the vocal accompaniment of its…

Teaching the clients is a crucial part of nursing. Since I work in the acute rehab unit which is based on extensive teaching. The patients are admitted here after major surgeries like, heart, lung, kidney and liver transplants, injuries from fall, spinal cord injury or recovery after stroke. Before teaching the patients we need to build a trustworthy nurse-patient relationship. It is a communication-based relationship, where nurses are responsible and competent enough to interact, educate, and…