blog two one.. =]

Dan Gilbert is a psychologist who specifically studies happiness.  He's come up with the impact bias (the gap between what we predict and what we ultimately experience) and the difference between synthetic happiness and natural happiness.  I agree with both of his views because of my own personal experiences.
Like almost any girl, or anybody, I can relate the impact bias to my own relationships.  I can honestly say that I have made many bad decisions based on what I thought I felt.  Thinking, "Oh, I'll be better with this boy because he can make me laugh more.", or something along those lines.  All to find out in the end that the one who made me laugh more only did because of his immaturity and I'd had the boy who would really get me.  The thing that I had really been looking for.  In my simulation of how future events would play out I miscalculated, something Dan Gilbert calls, miswanting.
In my current relationship I also doubted myself about my standings.  Everything hadn't played out the way I had planned or expected.  Even when I was happy, I didn't think it was right because it wasn't what I'd expected.  I had thought that with my decision I was going to be naturally happy and since it was a different kind of happiness, I thought it wasn't as valuable or significant.  But the happiness that grew on me, that I did feel (synthetic happiness) was just as good, just as important.  I was happier then I could have been if it had worked out the way I planned.  It just took me sometime to realize that synthetic happiness, the happiness I felt, was just as awesome as if it had been natural.
Dan Gilbert was right in his views in my opinion.  Due to the impact bias I think people make a lot of wrong choices without even realizing.  They think their future is going to have so much more of an impact on them then it will, because we all adapt.  Also, a lot of people don't realize synthetic happiness is just as real and meaningful.  They think if things don't work out the way they want they wont be able to find happiness.  Hopefully in the future more people will know Dan Gilberts' teachings.  Then the impact bias might not happen as often and people can be happy with what they have.

blog one . =]

So this is my first blog for ENG 101.  My names Gabi, I'm 21, & I live in the Bronx.  I’m currently enrolled in LaGuardia to pursue veterinary technology.  Once I'm done with the program though I plan on continuing school so I can get my PhD.  I plan on going into either veterinary sciences or zoology.  I've been leaning more toward zoology lately only because it seems way more interesting, & like it could involve a fair amount of travel.  I've loved pets my whole life & I actually have 2 ferrets & a cat.  My ferrets are names Twiggy & Lorraine, & my cats name is Merlin, because I am a nerd.  I'm also really into music, reading, & movies.  I have a very eclectic taste in movies & music.  Some of its a little weird & my friends know that whenever there’s a random movie they need to know the name of they call me.  I'm a big fan of cult classics, & I will quote movies at the most awkward times.  I listen to anything that has a beat & my music library can go anywhere from Masta Ace to Mates of State & then to Slayer.  I also love books, for my sixteenth birthday I actually got 16 books!  I prefer historical fiction like Forever by Cormack McCarthy, but I've also read my fair share of classics.  I read Madame Bovary last year just for fun, & wasn’t really happy, but I felt really accomplished when I was done.  Another interest of mine is astrology.  I'm a Scorpio & I'll be 22 on October 26th.  I can also do birth charts & I used to do tarot cards but I've recently tried to pull myself away from most of that.  I also do all of the cooking in my house because I love trying new recipes.  But I also just prefer my cooking.  So that's just a little bit about me & I'm happiest when I'm cuddled in my bed with a cup of tea, my fuzzy socks, & a good movie.