Winter

I am looking through the window, is winter, snow everywhere, Christmas time...
The semester is almost over. It was a good semester. I read and learned a lot. A special in ProSem class, which required 2 books to read, and of course literature for my ILP project.
I just finished to read "Social intelligence" by Daniel Goleman.
Social Intelligence, it is the new science of human relationship, the ability to read other people's cues and then act on them. Daniel Goleman, says that our brain is designed to make connections with other humans, and that our relationships have a real biological impact; whether it's flirting with the opposite sex or succeeding at work.
Social intelligence means being smart in relationships by being empathetic, or being able to sense what others are feeling and their intentions. It means having the social skills to act on that information.
The author, says that the people with the most social intelligence are those, who are good listeners. We can become a better listener by being motivated and mindful in social situations, instead of just saying what we think, we should stop and listen to the other person, and fine-tune our response to them. One of my New Years resolutions is to become a better listeners, and practice, and practice....!:)

The concert and book

I went to the concert in Boston Philharmonic on Thursday, October 18. It was great performance!!! Especially because I was seating next to composer Shirish Korde and I was listening concert mistress Joanna Kurkowicz, who is polish. The Korde's music was fabulous, that combines elements of Western and India instrumental techniques and rhythms. Kurkowicz demonstrated strong personality and assured technique. It was pleasure for me to meet and talk to her after the concert. Before and after the program people could buy the Zander's book - The Art of Possibility. I already read the book which combines Bengamin Zander's experiences as conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and his talent as a teacher and communicator with psychotherapist Rosamund Stone Zander's genius for designing innovative examples for personal and professional changes. The book teach us how to become passionate communicators, leaders and performers in our life, also it offers a lot of practices, which gives an opportunity for personal and organizational transformation.

A University in the Midst of Storms

In October 23 I went to the lecture by Eliezer Rafaeli, who has faced unique management challenges in his career. Eliezer Rafaeli was the first President and now Chancellor of the Hifa University in Israel.
This school is unique as a Jewish-Arab project, which demonstrates peace and collaboration in mixed population. He was talking about how education is important in our life. Process of learning and teaching is by getting information from Internet, media... Then we should convert this information to knowledge and wisdom. He was also talking about politics and history of Israel, which is very sad and tragic. The University is facing challenges, it try to educate people to reach democracy, live without discrimination and differences, fight for dialog between cultures and religions. Israel is a develop country, becouse of that the Hife University's goal is to create leadership, trust, stability, peace and respect. Acording to Eliezer Rafaeli, a true leader must respect people or subject, sacrefised, and has a vision based on knowlegde. This was very interesting and touching lucture for me.

ILP Planning Assignment

Here are my ideas to possible ILP topics. I am looking for suggestions and advices from Professor Seo and you - my classmates. Thank you.

1. The Lack of Professional Ethics in America
2. What Measures Would Promote Ethical Behavior in Business Organizations?
3. Do Ethical Business Practices Benefit Society?

Presentation

Today I have a presentation in Professor Seo class. This is my second public speech in this school and almost in my life! Stress....... and I have some problems with sending comments to my classmates. Sometimes technology makes me crazy. I feel that I still don't know enough.

Development plan

My strengths: teamwork and collaboration
My weaknesses: emotional self-control and adaptability

To achieve my goals I have to:
1. learn how to manage my impulsive feelings and distress emotions well
2. stay composed, positive and unflappable even in trying moments
3. think clearly and stay focused under pressure

To practice and develop my E.I. I will be talking about my problems and experiences with my classmates, listing and using their ideas or advices and recruiting them to role-play troubling situations with me so I can try out new self-control strategies. I will read more books and articles about E.I. and attend to seminars and trainings. If I will get the support from my friends, colleagues and partners and I will communicate with them openly with respect, I will be able to:
- manage my impulsive feelings and distressing my emotions in difficult situations
- think clearly and stay focused under pressure,
- handle changes and challenges very flexible

My notes

My notes from Googles Seminar are in my notebook. I want to share with you some information about blogs. To make great and successful blog we should:

• make each page very interesting - grab people attention, eye catching content,
• add comments section of your site - involve users,
• get your visitors involved to boost visibility and user loyalty,
• monitor your site - use Webmaster Central and create a News Sitemap to see what queries are pushing visitors to your site,
• publish high quality links
• provide clear text links