Neglect

In class on Friday we talked about the story about Jennie, the girl who was strapped to a potty chair and locked in a room for 13 years. I was in Psychology first semester and we watched a movie about her story and I couldn't believe my eyes. A child who was forgotten about, abused, never learned how to walk, or even speak was never payed attention too. I couldn't even imagine that happening to someone. Scientists and doctors were fascinated about her story and how she behaved around males and females. Most of the doctors and scientists also became very attached to her and the progress that she was making. It's so awesome to see that people are open to adopting her to make her life better.

Nothing

During the afternoon on Saturday, I went to the mall and did the "Nothing" activity that Sal had assigned us the week before. The assignment was to stand in place for 10 minutes, and do absolutly nothing. It was very awkward. You could see that people were staring at you but you could move or say anything to them. There was one particular couple who had a young daughter, probably five or six, and she kept asking her mom and dad why I was just standing there and not moving and the parents kept on walking. I was findingnit very hard to do nothing for ten minutes because it's not something that you do everyday so it's out of the norm. After I had finished the ten minutes I left right away because I felt so awkward and felt like I was being judged. I thought it was a very cool assignment.

Death in American Society

Americans view death as a bad thing. No one ever wants to lose the one's that they love; but in reality, it's the circle of life. In my life, death is a scary thing because I am very close with my immidiate family and my distant family. Seeing someone who is so tired and weak but still striving and living out each day as if it were their last. I love spending time with my grandma, I feel so lucky. She always gives me advise and I always ask her what she would have done. I asked her one time three or four years ago if she was afraid to die; and she said, "No. Because I had a good run. I have a wonderful family and it I'm so happy to have been around this long! I mean come on!? What 93 year old grandma do you know who can still walk and has all of her marble's"? Watching the movie during class made me realize that when older individuals are sick, dying, or elder; the people that they want to see the most is the family and friends that love them.

Needs vs. Wants

Being raised in an environment that always is wanting the next best thing, can get competitive.  Growing up my parents weren't the type of people who always needed their children to have the best toys or the best looking clothes; they wanted to teach my sister and I that material things are always going to be there.  Once I got into middle school, I realized that everyone wants the next best thing, like Uggs or Northface jackets.  Going to a high school where everywhere you look there is a new brand name, is hard for me because I was never raised on buying something new, I was raised on appreciating what I have.

Shocking Culture

This week in class we learned about the different cultures and how they are completely different but also similar to Americans. We played this card game, and Sal taught each table a different game and who every won the most games would rotate to a different table. But when the winners got to the new table, they came to realize that they were playing a different game. In my group, our game was you needed to match up the different shapes with each other and an Ace would beat all of the other cards. But when we had a new member come tonite group and she thought that you could match up the numbers and it didn't matter what shape it was. I thought that was a great activity to show how individuals deal with culture shock.

All Abord!

In class on Friday, we played this game. We had originally 16 people on a boat and there would only end up having 9 people left on the boat. I feel that there were certain people that were thrown off that shouldn't have been thrown off and vise versus. I beloved that the reason why some were thrown off and others were not is because the students went directly down the line and decided whether or not they are strong enough to stay on the boat. I also feel that if the student chose who should stay on the boat, based on strength, stamina, age, and occupation.

Making a difference

In sociology this week we talked about the community service hours and I definatly kearned a lot. I learned that there are so many opportunities for me to help other individuals make their lives better. I'm super excited to have the chance to work with children and adults who have special needs. I'm planning on helping out is because I want to major in Special Recreation and help individuals with special needs. I have volunteered with things like this before and I loved it. It really makes you value so much more when you meet these people. They are possivtive about everything and anything. If you are having the worst day ever, they know exactly how to put a smile on your face. I 100% enjoy working with kids and adults who are special needed. By doing this assignment, I want to teach people that these individuals are just like you and I but they work differently and look different. I can't wait to finally get started with this!!