Speaking for myself, I am the type of person that people may call afraid of the unknown. I tend to lay back from things that are not really familiar to me. As Sam mentioned the term boxes, boxes could mean a whole lot of things; Comfort zones, guards a lot of things. However, it all comes down to one meaning, being in a place that you feel calm.

I can understand why people don’t really like change because I am like that myself. I have a hard time adapting to new environments and new things. I always feel much better, safe in a way when I know my surroundings. I also do become stressed when there is something new going around. I could easily think that anything new could be something extremely great and I could learn from it instead of thinking and stressing out, but I think I may have a fear of failure, which is a big problem. When it comes down to something new such as something I will learn or something I will try or be around, failure is always on the top of my head. I know that no one in the world is perfect and there is no one that hasn’t experienced failure at least once in his life but the question is does everyone deal with failure the same way? There are two types of people I think when it comes down to failure, people who fail and learn from their mistakes and try their hardest to not do them same mistake again, and there’s this other group of people who may fail and get stressed, depressed and constantly think of their failure to the point the would never ever learn from it just because if the encountered the same thing again they might fail the second time.

When it comes down to food, I am the type of person that may try something new if it was on one of my friend’s plate and he/she begged me to try it or if it was my mother that made a new dish at home (knowing I would like it since she is my mother and knows what I would like) but I would never order something just for the sake of trying something new. Maybe because I wouldn’t want to be disappointed that maybe what I ordered didn’t taste good as the dish I was used to, because I tend to think that the dish I usually order is the best dish that I could ever taste. I wouldn’t mind eating the same thing over and over again because I know after finishing my meal I would not be disappointed having eaten it before and know exactly how I felt after the meal. I would probably try something new such as a cake or an ice cream flavor after a big meal since I know I would be so full after my meal, but I would never order something I don’t know just for the sake I want to experience something new. Something I’m used to equals my comfort zone, which in Sam’s term is my box.

First of all I have never been in such a situation to kill someone before so kind of hard to think about this question and to answer it. furthermore, When I first tried to answer this question I thought I will never ever kill neither a human being nor any living creature, no matter what had he or she did to me or whatever the situation was that I am in. however, when I rethink again and again about the question I came up to the fact that it might happen but it would take a lot for me to kill someone, there might be many reasons or situation would lead me to kill.
As I mentioned before, for me there are many reasons would lead me kill, one of these reasons is to defend my country and my land from invaders that are threaten my country existence in the first place, and they are threaten my life. When thinking about it and seeing all these people on the news murdering people heartlessly you would never think you would ever have that kind of feeling to kill anyone like that. Speaking for myself I would never kill anyone like that no matter what the reason is but I think when being invaded by a country that might be taking your life and the life of your family I think its your every right to kill for the sake of defending your country. When just thinking about it, it is hard to picture you would ever do such a thing but, if you were put in a situation that you would have to kill the case might be different. I am not saying I would kill like a murder or anything like that, I am saying I would defend my family and my country when it comes to war and protecting my people.
I have mentioned before in my pervious blog post that I am from Kuwait. Kuwait in the year of 1990 was invaded by Iraqi regime. Saddam Hussain, as cold hearted of a man he was made his soldiers kill Kuwaiti People like they were flies. At that time even women of my country who are considered like diamonds in Kuwait were willing to kill and in fact they did for the sake of our country.
I was born in 1989, during the war I was a child and didn’t understand what was going on at that time and even if I wanted to defend my country (as hard as it to believe for a person that age to do) I couldn’t but thankfully, A Kuwaiti TV series aired this summer about what happened during the war and what happened to the people of Kuwait. Seeing that series made me aware of what actually happened in the year 1990 and from just a TV show, I couldn’t help but think of what would I have done if I was at the age of what I am now. I would definitely have done something in the sake of my country and I am sure anyone would.

I found the lecture on Thursday was extremely eye opening to many people including Muslims. I myself am a Muslim and It was very I opening for me as well to picture myself as a citizen of a country that was brutally being taken away from me.
I think when people think of Muslims the think of 9/11 and all the war and terrorist that come along with it, but they never really think of the innocent lives that are being taken away because a cold hearted “un-Muslim” act that was sadly taken place in 9/11. And I guarantee that any Muslims who would be asked about 9/11 would be devastated to even think about it one reason being about the lives that were lost in that day and another reason would be about the thought people have know for Muslims.
I am always tempted to ask my American friends whenever we have a conversation about war in Muslim countries is that how would you feel if the roles were switched and that instead the Americans being there “defending” the Muslims, the Muslims would be in the states doing what they were doing.
The video was definitely an eye opener to many people in the class including me as well in some way and made many people think differently in terms of switching roles. Which brings me to my point, Isn’t it perfectly okay for any citizen to protect their country? Isn’t it their right? It’s everyone’s right to protect and defend their country despite if they are doing it for the wrong reasons and I am not saying that the Muslims are doing it for the wrong reasons. It’s human nature to defend their land.
In addition, I was shocked to see that children are being taught in Christian’s schools to be soldiers in the name of Jesus to fight Muslims. This is wrong in so many levels; the fact that you implant a thought in a child to have this idea that all Muslims must be killed is disgusting and so wrong. You cannot judge an act based on a minority of cold hearted people how destroyed many lives as well as Muslims lives and teach a whole generation of child that Muslims should die and not live their lives. Creating conflict does not end war. Having children being taught this idea will never end war and will never create peace.
The bottom line I think this is a sign of terrorism. Killing innocent people is one of the signs of terrorism. Its sad that some people think they are ending the terrorist act but are only making it spread everywhere around the world. Killing innocents Muslims will only make you an even worse terrorist than the people who destroyed our lives in 9/11

As, the United States of America has been, and continues to be, a nation of immigration. I have no doubt that legal and illegal immigrations in the United States of America is considered to be one of the hugest topics to talk about and one of the controversial topics as well. It has many aspects and different impacts on the country such as economic, political, educational and social impacts, which can play a big role in the American society and determine the shape it has. Moreover, some articles I had read declares that immigrations is one the major problems this society suffers from.
People from many different countries all over the world immigrate to the united state of America for many different reasons, each one of the has his own reason. Some of them come to the States to get better life by looking for a better job opportunity. Some of them immigrate to seek political or religious asylum, and that because they were suffering in there home country from oppressive and dictatorial governments. Reunion with relative is also one of the common reasons why immigrants choose to come over to the United States. However, all the reasons I listed above may also be similar and suitable as well, for those who immigrate illegally to the United States of America, looking for better job, freedom of speech and more democracy and also reunion with their family who immigrated legally to the States.
In my opinion, the United States of America may suffer from both type of immigration; however, I think illegal immigrations are the great dilemma for this country. As it directly affects the country’s economic status, as the illegal immigrants do not pay any taxes for the country, also the fact that they are down to work anything or to participate in any job with a low wages, detriment directly the American citizens by taking away the job opportunities from them.
As I read throw many articles and researches, I think there are many different effective ways the government of the united states can follow to solve this problem. These solutions can be shorten in:
First, as the country has the right to protect and defend it border, I think the government should pay more attention to find and create a new ways to protect it borders. And using the new technology can easily solve this.
Second, if they are already living and working in the country, I think provide citizenship would be the best solution. As, it will help the country’s economy by forcing them to pay their taxes and do all their economic duties.
Third, the country can make new legislation prohibiting any economical interactions or financial transactions with illegal immigrants thus cut their way.
Fourth, the country can find them and deport them to where they came from and this by enforcing the current laws of the United States.

General speaking, this is really a huge topic to talk about as it has many different aspects such as religious, social and personal. Rape and it consequences which are pregnancy and abortion, is one of the most controversial topic as I said before it has many different aspects.
First, I think everybody agree that rape is such an abominable crime and unforgivable as well. As I am a Muslim, in Islam rape considered as one of the major sins, and I also believe it is somewhat of a sin in other religions as well. Getting pregnant from rape is a different case and should be considered as a different topic against getting pregnant accidently from your boyfriend.
Getting raped is a forced act that one does not want, and the victim who gets pregnant from rape may suffer from many social and personal problems which is really hard for the victim to sustain it. As the psychologists declare there are many and different personal or psychological consequences from this crime on the victim which is indicated to be worse than any other side effects of the crime, and examples for this type of side effects are suffering from intense emotionally reactions immediately after a rape and it can last for the whole life. Other side effects could be having nightmares, being afraid and anxiety all the time, avoid going out in the dark, avoid to make contact with any foreign people and avoid social interaction and there are more and more problems the victim suffered from. Second thing about is the physical side effects of rape the common physical injuries are bruises, savoir pain, irritation and tenderness in the vaginal area.
However, beside all this sufferings and injuries, rape may lead to more painful issue which is getting pregnant. Which also may lead to another difficult and a life threaten operation which is abortion. In my opinion and as I considered myself as a conservative Muslim, I am totally against this operation as it is extremely forbidden in my religion. However, truth to be said it’s really hard to think about this thing and abortion could be one of the solution when it come to hurt you directly, especially as Sam said “what if your wife, sister, daughter or your mum got pregnant from being raped?”. Similarly, it is also hard and difficult to see your daughter, mum, sister or your wife to suffering from rape and getting pregnant as a result of it. And what is more difficult for me to think about is to rise and take care of a baby who is considered as an outlandish to my family. And this the worst scenario could happen I think.

Honestly, first thing come to my mind when I think about people appearances is “do not judge a book by its cover” this is my principle in life. However, even though I do not judge people by their appearance, I have to admit that sometimes and somehow I fail in this test and by mistake I judge people by how they look and the way how they dress and the accessories they used as well.
As I had played the video more than ten times, for me it was kind of difficult to respond to the question that it includes, especially that people in this video did not speak at all. Therefore, to answer the question asked in this video, I am not going to judge these people by their appearance or how they look as I have been asked to do, which is hard to do as they look all the same to me. Thus I will be discussing how they present themselves to the camera, and how they influenced me in terms of their actions.
First guy appears to be a normal person who likes sports and listening to music a lot. Which is can be easily understood by his body language, as he seems to be a tall person wearing sport cap with a professional headset around his nick. The second guy appears to be a funky person who loves to listen to music and looking for troubles on the same time. His cloths are giving him the funky look and the lollipop in his mouth as well. While on the other hand, he is giving malicious looks like if he is looking for troubles or trying to raise Cain in the place around. Moreover, the first girl seems to be a nice and quite person as she is smiling and giving friendly looks to the camera. The third guy just look like a normal person, as he is dressing normally and he did not make any action or any expression in his face. The guy with the red cap looks really tough and a trouble maker person or belong to a gang or something like that. This can be seen from his facial expression and the cap that he wears. The last guy seems to be a shy person as he moved his eyes very quickly when he first saw the camera. The last but not the least, the professor seems to be a happy friendly person by giving big smiles at the camera.
All in all, in my opinion judging people on their appearance is a human trait. I think it is impossible when you first meet someone and looking at him or her to stop thinking about his or her look and to stop creates ideas and thoughts about who he or she is and make your own judgment about his or her personality and attitude, even though you do not like to judge a book by its cover.

To be honest last Tuesday`s class is really special and useful as well for me. Before this class the only thing that I knew about the Native American that they are called “Indian American”. Therefore, having a guest who is Native American helped me a lot to create the complete and clear image in my mind about their history, society, life and how are they suffering nowadays.
I had never thought that the Native Americans are the poorest group in the United States. The graph that Sam Richard had displayed in the lecture about the incomes of different racial groups shocked me so bad, it is really sad to see that net worth income for the Native Americans is almost nothing and below the poverty line, which is I think kind of confusing how come native people of a country become the poorest in their land! In addition, they do not even participate in the decision making neither ruling the country. I have never heard that a Native American once had become a president of the United States of America.
First of all I would like to thank the guest for his bravery and boldness to stand in the front of the class with this number of students and talk honestly and sincerely about his life and his society, and how they are suffering and facing life difficulties back home in Leach Lake reservation. When the guest first started to talk about his society it is really sad to know how hard their life and how miserable it is as well is. Moreover, his cousin story is immensely heartbreaking, as she or he committed suicide and she or he was thirteen year old only.
In my opinion I think it a shame for the United States of America to let their native people struggling and suffering from life difficulties and keep these people below the poverty line without doing anything, while the state considered as the richest country in the world. Meanwhile, I think it also a shame and kind of “Hypocrisy” supporting the United States for the Arab Spring revolutions in the Middle East to bring freedom and better life for people over there, while there are people in here in the States who are suffering more than the Arabs with a tough life that is high in suicide and drugs addiction ratios. I think the United States government should retreat itself and start doing internal reform works before talking about helping to improve and fix people`s life in other countries.
Actually I have a set of questions for the guest. My first is in your opinion how do you think the government can solve this problem? The second question is do you think that people should also work to solve the problem? I heard that the government tried several time to encourage the Native people in the society and solve their problems but unfortunately they had refused, my question is do you the reason why they did this?

I think the biggest decision I have ever made in life is to be a student here at Penn State University and join college of engineering. After I graduated from high school back home in Kuwait, first I decided to study medicine in “Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland”. For me it was my childhood dream to study medicine abroad at “Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland” and became a successful doctor in the future. As soon as I graduated from high school I applied to “Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland” and soon I got my acceptance. I was super excited and happy as I passed my first step of my dream, in the first place I thought that it was the best and the most important personal decision I had made in my whole life, in fact it was the worst decision I had ever made in my life.
During my three years in Ireland, there was a deciscusion on Facebook about politics in Kuwait. I participated in that conversation as I love to interact and express my opinions. I assume whomever is participating in any discussion should be open and accept different opinions. In addition knowing the fact that you may hear something you might not like or believe. In that conversation I said something that was not offensive but against the other persons belief, not to mention I said it with all the respect I had, instead of accepting it as an adult and answering me back with an opposite opinion, they took the friendly political discussion to the College and made it a big deal. I thought the conversation had passed but I was sadly mistaken, I was called to the Student affairs office and was confronted and misunderstood and they had made their decision to expel me from the college, the reason was that I had expressed my opinion freely. At first, I thought I come all the way from free country “Kuwait” that ensures and believed in freedom of speech and arrived to another free country “Ireland” that has the same believe in freedom of speech, but in this situation I was completely wrong.
This leads to why my personal decision was Penn State, I came here not knowing what to expect and I always had the Facebook incident in the back of my mind but still stayed true to what I believed in is that always stay true to your believes and opinions. I participated in many debates here with friends and fellow classmates in class and I never once so my opinion become a disadvantage to others, I learned that it is always right to express your feelings and your believes without having second thoughts and If you want to participate in any kind of conversation you should always know that people might say something you may not believe in. that doesn’t mean it is wrong it just means its another opinion out of millions around the world. Always respect others no matter what they say and that’s what Penn State has taught me and I do believe there is more to learn here.

All the way back in Kuwait, where I come from, household incomes do not depend on people’s race or color at all, as the country ensures a good life for each citizen that includes free and well education and good salaries. Nevertheless, differences in household incomes exist between Kuwaitis and it depends on two main factors; your family standard of living as well as how smart and hardworking you are.
In the first place, I was really shocked at the beginning when Sam displayed the household income rates in America on the screen and how it related to people’s race, I never thought that my income will depends on where I came from or my skin color! Meanwhile, I recently discovered in the lecture that household income ratios are a different story here in the American society. However I think the graph in the lecture makes sense because America is based on many people from different parts of the world migrating. One being very poor from the beginning and hoping for a better life in the States. Others with lots of money and are well off come to the States for an even better opportunity to increase the income of money.
One of the reasons why I think that the Blacks are a the low income rates is that they came to States as slaves, forced to work so hard with nothing in return. After their “rights” were granted (even though In my opinion they were still treated very badly), when it came to working as a regular employee and finding a job, the Whites were already dominating the work filed and had higher positions. A white with a racist mind would never think of promoting a Black person. A black person would most likey be fired form any type of job, not because he/she is not a hard worker, it is sadly because of their skin color which they had no choice of choosing. In conclusion, the main reason is that blacks may not be on the top of the income rates are because the majority of the society chooses their fate from the beginning of slavery. If society introduced the Blacks in a good perspective they might as well be dominating the income rate with the Whites and Asians.
In addition, I think Asians are at the top of the ratings is because the stereotype that many people have towards Asians is that they are extremely intelligent not even knowing what their background are. Nevertheless, Asians are “known” to have a high schooling level and having spoken to many of my Asian friends about their education, it doesn’t come close to our education in terms of work. Having said that with good education and the stereotype people have, I think the promotion rate and even being hired as a manager is high without having to start from the bottom and work their way up.
It all comes down to the society and how the majority is brain washed with nonsense.

To be honest I really loved Dr. Jones’s lecture on last Tuesday. His class was really beneficial and interesting, and I also like the way in which he tried to deliver his thoughts and ideas to the class, where he was successful in.
For me, it was advantageous to listen to people decisions and opinions and know how do people think differently than each other in such a situation, when Dr. Jones asked the question ‘Who would you choose to help if the boat is sinking?’ My decision was to help my mother, as she was the only one that cannot be replaced unlike the others, in my opinion I think my wife could be replaced by marrying another woman if she died. Similarly the kid, I could make another children if I lost my son or my daughter.
Moreover, I really like the idea behind the drawing exercise, as it shows how variance it might be exists between two partners who are working together for the same purpose or in the same project, even though they were sharing the same concept, which in class, was drawing a house. What came to my attention after this exercise, is that sometimes it is important to be flexible and let things go when you are cooperating with someone in order to finish a work, it also might be helpful if you let them direct and take control of the whole process, thus the work will be done better and even faster.
However, in my opinion the most useful and entertain exercise on the same time Dr. Jones did in the lecture was choosing students randomly and makes them passing on a full story, from one student to another and shows how a story can be sometimes mutated. Before this class I did not realize that how a story can be manipulated when it relays from one person to another I used to believe any story about someone that one of my friend told me about. It was really amazing how the students were trying to memorize all what they were hearing and made there best to re-tell the story without missing any part of it on purpose. Meanwhile, on the one hand some students were trying to keep away from the racial terms or words in the story and modify the story in a way that makes it nicer to say. While on the other hand, some others were trying to convey the events of the story without taking away any racial word. However, Dr. Jones shows the first students a long story to be transferred to the next student, but somehow this story had end with a one sentence only, when it delivered to the last student! All in all, this exercise shows that how a story can be exposed to what can we say ‘filters’ when it pass from someone to another.