Blogger
Jeff
Jonathan Jackson
Studying in Dunedin, New Zealand
Jon is a 20-year-old Junior at Rice University who lives in Ben Wheeler, Texas but is studying abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand. His major is Cognitive Sciences, with an emphasis on psychology or neuroscience, and while abroad, he will be taking two cognition courses, one on Maori Society, and another on New Zealand Literature.
Before he left, he said, he is most excited about, "The complete uncertainty that awaits, the number of unforeseen challenges and triumphs that will undoubtedly arise. Whether it's something small like figuring out how to mail something, or a challenge to my worldview, positive or negative, it will all give me goosebumps." He was most anxious about, among all things, the cold weather. "I have difficulty dealing with the cold. It's a psychological thing; most homes don't have central heating, so it's kind of hard on a guy from Texas walking around in his flat wearing three layers of clothing."
A quick Q & A session with Jonathan on his general interests garnered us the following:
What type of music do you listen to?
Ah, music. I love all kinds of music, with the possible exception, ironically enough, of country and western. At the moment, I have an obsession with hip-hop and alternative, though that will undoubtedly change before the end of the semester.
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies include reading, hiking (while in New Zealand, at least), sports (especially basketball), socializing with old friends and making new ones, cuisine (both cooking and eating), and the occasional introspection.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
Books--The Harry Potter series, anything by Douglas Adams, Ayn Rand, Roald Dahl, Mark Twain, and Robert Jordan.
TV--New fan of House, M.D. and Gray's Anatomy, as well as most cartoons.
Movies--Five of my favorites, in no particular order: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Blues Brothers, The Princess Bride, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
If you want to know any more about dear Jonathan, ask him in his blog and he'll be more than happy to begin a discussion with you.
