Bio

I am upontheshelf. I am a 25 year-old graduate student from Rockford, Illinois. Why am I here? Simply put, for the same reason that exist: I am here to discover more about myself and my environment.

I enjoy studying and the process of studying, playing guitar, cross-stitching, reading, playing Texas Hold'em and other card games, tutoring and helping people learn, walking labyrinths, drinking warm beverages, teaching, and being with friends/family.

I love the art of science and the science of art.

I am a HUGE fan of Chris Cornell and Pearl Jam; I often think that I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for their (collaborative and non-collaborative) musical genius. Thank you.

Skills and talents

Teaching, Writing (Poetry, Essays and Narratives), Public Speaking, Composing (Music and Works of Art), Playing Guitar (15+ years), "Philosophizing", Organization, Expressing Myself via a Variety of Artistic and Literary Media (e.g., Sketching, Painting, Communication), Synthesis, Tutoring and Educating Others, Clerical and Archival Duties.

Interests

Audioslave, Chris Cornell and Pearl Jam, learning how to let go of anger, Music, Playing Guitar, Playing Texas Hold'em, reading, Temple of the Dog, The Voynich Manuscript, Writing. Guitars! Music!

What I'm Reading

Notes From the Cosmos by Gordon-Michael Scallion; The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori; Revolution in Education by Osho; The Art of True Healing by Israel Regardie

What I'm Listening To

Chris Cornell, Pearl Jam, SOUNDGARDEN, Audioslave, Temple of the Dog, Mad Season, Alice in Chains, Run Through The Desert, Flight of the Conchords, Goo Goo Dolls, The Flock, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Harrybu McCage, The Anunnaki, The Lonely Island, Nirvana, Sonic Youth.

Movies I've Seen Recently

Avatar; The Box; Moon; 9; Skeleton Key; Shutter Island; Afterlife.

Websites I'm Into

World Cat - The World's Library, ilXor.com, freecycle.org, The Voynich Manuscript, goldenmean.info, Poker Stars, Chris Cornell

Education

High school

Roosevelt Alternative High School ('03)

College

Rock Valley College, A.A. ('06); Rockford College, B.A. ('08)

Graduate school

Rockford College, M.A.T. ('10)

Additional study

"Metaphysics and Questioning the Necessity of Questioning" (B.A. thesis); Thesis work in Quantum Learning (M.A.T.); Independent Study in "Natural Goodness" (Philippa Foot); Independent Study in Synchronicity