Archive for category Miscellaneous

Leadership Tower

Feb 2

Posted by Steven Sentosa in Miscellaneous | View Comments

We did a pretty interesting game today in our leadership class. Our instructor separated us into 4 random teams, where each team consist of four people. The objective was simple, create a hang-free tower as tall as possible with a bunch of newspaper, tapes, and rubber band within less than 30 min. Here’s what our team created.

Me, Jerry, Heather, and Andy (from left to right)

With the little time given and poor construction, I’m surprised this tower can still stand.

As we created this tower, there are couple things we observed.

Our team was a flat team, meaning there’s no dominant leaders. All of us are leader in our own tasks. It’s kinda weird that we started with no idea on how to make a tower. However, as we progress along, each of us contribute ideas, and ended up doing our each own task to build this tower. Me and Andy were the tower builder. Jerry and Heather were the material maker. We didn’t decide this, we just did it. I guess we acted as our own leader and determined what was the thing I can do the best at that time.
Foundation is really important. The keys here are planning and preparation. Without proper planning, we can’t make a tower from newspapers and hoping it will stand still. There will be unexpected things happen as you progress, but the main goal was clear from the beginning, to build a tower using triangular foundation and using pillars to raise the building.
You have to know your limit. We can’t keep increasing the height of this tower. There will be certain level where if you add more height, the building will collapse. Don’t let your proud blind you from seeing the reality. We were not the highest tower in the class, but we knew the limit of our building. In fact, one of the team has their tower collapse during presentation. It’s because poor planning and too much weight on the tower.
Communication is important. This reminds me of tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-8). Without proper communication, there will be no unity to achieve one specific goal, which in this case to build a tower.

Overall, this game was pretty fun. I wish there will be more of this practical game again in our leadership class.

Tags: Leadership

Spring 2010 Will be an Interesting Semester

Jan 29

Posted by Steven Sentosa in Miscellaneous | View Comments

Wow…how time has quickly passed since my winter break couple weeks ago. I’m now in full swing of Spring 2010, the last semester in my college life (hopefully sigh…..) I thought it will be an easy semester for me since I only have to take 2 graduate classes, but the reality is different.

Starting this past Wednesday, I was officially start teaching for my school. How shocked I was when I was notified about this about a month ago. I almost can’t believe why would they ask a last semester graduate student to teach. They know that I’m not gonna be around after this semester, but yet they still asked me so. This what makes me thankful to God for this opportunity, because not everyone can have this opportunity and experience became a teacher in a college. HIS way is sometimes “out of ordinary.” Who would thought that a mere Indonesian dude like me can be given such opportunity to teach college level classes?

So, there you go. I am teaching MA 121 – College Algebra 1 for a Christian College that I am attending now. They even gave me three sections to teach with around 30 students in each class. That’s 90 students roughly. For 1st timer like me, 90 students are a lot. Just imagine how many homeworks, tests, and quizzes I need to grade. Plus, all the lesson I need to prepare. Luckily all of them have the same subject, so I just have to prepare one lesson and repeat it three times a day. My burden to have all of my students succeed and pass the class is what keeps me going.

That is why I said that this Spring 2010 will be an interesting semester. On top of the teaching responsibilities, I’m still a full time graduate student who takes 2 graduate classes also, so you can imagine how busy I will be this semester. Added to that, my “other” tasks are waiting for me, such as finding a job and a new place to go after I graduate this May. LORD, help me and has mercy on me. I can only pray for God’s strength to be with me this semester.

Phil 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Ps 73:26 – “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”

From times to times I reminded myself about those verses, and I know that at the end of this semester I will become a stronger person because all of the things that will be happening this semester.

Ok, since I’m a Math teacher now, I have a little geeky guestion for you.

Why b = 0? should it be a = b? For those of you who knows the answer to this, please leave it in the comment section.

Tags: Mathematics

It’s so cold here in Pensacola

Jan 12

Posted by Steven Sentosa in Miscellaneous | View Comments

I don’t know why, but the weather in Pensacola is kinda weird lately. As you know, Pensacola, FL should be warm and sunny, but somehow it’s so cold now. I know it’s winter now so it should be cold, but still it’s not like it used to be. One guy here even told me that it even felt colder here than in North Dakota or Colorado. Yesterday it was 21F (-6C) here. If you add the winchill, it could be as low as 10F. Today is actually getting warmer a little bit.

Well, I guess you just need to layer up. I began to use long johns couple weeks ago, and it works great for me. Top it with ear warmer and some fleece jacket, you are good to go. If you have dry skin, make sure you are using skin moisturizer. Vaseline petroleum jelly works just fine for me, plus it’s cheap If you live in tropical country, you are so lucky. Enjoy every minute of it.