My Service Experience

I Volunteered at Country Meadows with the special Ed kids and it was probably one of the scariest but definitely a treasured memory of mine. I really had to work up the guts to actually convince myself that we are all blessed in a different way and no matter what in the end we are human and desire the same thing: love, attention, care, and fun (especially for kids). I helped the kids out, a little with their homework and then during snack time and finally recess and really throughout the entire two-day experience I really did realize that stereotypes are probably the most stupid things created on this planet. I never had anyone in my family who volunteered with special Ed kids and I never had the personal experience to spend time with kids of needs, for whatever reason I was absolutely nervous out of my mind. I wasn’t even really sure what I’m supposed to say…how I’m supposed to introduce myself…and what I’m expected to talk about afterward. For example, I wasn’t even sure if they knew who SpongeBob is…and that is super pathetic to look back and reflect on now. I talked a little bit with Heather, to get a feel of what’s expected for me. I was warned; sometimes the kids do get out of hand by having a “sugar-high” and other times the kids just don’t realize that they’re being loud and silly. Honestly, I saw that when the kids scream, jump, make funny “bloop” noises they are the happier than a kid with a happy meal. I’ve spent a ton of time with non-special Ed kids whether it was through babysitting, family occasions, and my friends’ siblings and reflecting on the differences the non-special Ed kids seems like they really take life for granted. They whine over not getting certain toys, they complain about not having a pacifier to sleep with but; my goodness, the kids I hung out with for the service hours really took the meaning of “enjoying life” to a whole new level. During snack time, they truly believe in “life’s short, eat dessert first” and they follow very thoroughly with that idea ha-ha. Aside from the silly stuff and more of the serious stuff, when Heather spoke to me about the kids’ backgrounds, I seemed to hear a lot of the same, unfortunate, stuff story from story. Each of the kids get made fun of during lunch time, laughed at and stared at in the halls; the worst part of it these kids are only about nine or ten years old… it upsets me to see and hear stories like that because when I spent time with the kids they were able to put a smile on my face no matter what circumstance my day was classified under before hand. The reason I said stereotypes are the stupidest things ever created before in this blog is because I truly feel that due to the stereotypes the media sets out it causes kids and even adults in some cases to become stereotypical and judgmental. Often times when you watch a TV show, you aren’t really exposed to kids with special needs so when you come across them you aren’t really sure how to react or what to say, for that matter. This was completely true in my case, I really wasn’t sure how to start a conversation because I didn’t want to make the kids feel like I think that they don’t know how to open their lunch boxes but at the same time you always see people asking the kids “did you need help with that?” or “did you have to go to the bathroom?” but while I was there I saw that no, that’s not the case. Not at all. The kids have their own minds, opinions, and interests and really are no different than myself on the inside. For example, when the kids have to use the bathroom, they ask or when they want to use a glue stick they know exactly where it is and they don’t need special assistance just as any other nine or ten year old. During recess or outside time, whatever it’s called, the kids played any game I would play as a kid and it was completely similar to what you’d expect from stereotypes: the girls played games like “make believe (someone was the mom, and the dog and the grocery bagger lady) the boys played ball games such as a form of basket ball or catch. It’s funny because when I reflect on what I did in elementary school it was pretty much the same thing. The girls all played games like dress up, school, cooking and crafts. Then you’d have the “rough and tough” guys who played hardcore tag and rolled around in the dirt. Stereotypes become, in my opinion, barriers between a person and an experience because I know had it not been for this class I wouldn’t opened up as much as I did and try this experience. I know I would have tried a nursing home or soup kitchen and winded up not getting such a rewarding experience as I did. In the beginning of the semester Sal said that he wanted us to really get something out of this experience and try something new, I feel I really accomplished that and I would recommend any student to try and reach outside their comfort zone when it comes to this service project. I’m not sure whether it was the comfort of having a motivating teacher or wanting to really look back and be proud of my senior year…but I’m happy with my choice and I really wouldn’t have changed a thing. I definitely think having a person there with me whom I am close to helped because it did make me feel more comfortable around the kids. I feel that had I been completely with people I didn’t know I wouldn’t be as interactive and willing to play with the kids. Thank you for having the students do this type of “final” because I think especially for the seniors, when we go off to college I think that no matter what type of person a kid may be in school: rebel, goody-two-shoes, prep, jock, nerd, etc every kid learns either something about themselves or something about the world that they learned from the class throughout the semester.

In My School

In my school of 4.205 students each one of those students has their own story. Not everyone was born into a wealthy family and not everyone is a part of a low income family because they choose to dress differently. After watching the video of footage from life at a school is Texas, I'm happy to say I'm not involved in a school where kids are ruthless and think higher of themselves- compared to "outsiders" of their social class. Overall, regardless of some stories people hear, everyone is fairly nice to one another regardless of ones social class. I have never walked down a hall and heard someone get defriended due to their social status in our school. I've heard people getting put down for a certain stereotype they may hold but when watching the video it upset me to see that kids refuse to be friends with people of a different status. It's not like people have a disease just because their home isn't large. When ever I've volunteered, i've become thankful for what I have but I've also learned so much from people who may be less fortunate than I. I've heard struggles that individuals have gone through just to make it to where they are today, and with us we usually just take things for granted. I know I do, as bad as it is to say teens go out and buy a $50 shirt where some people truly work hard just to put food on the table. Tammy from the video, for example, walks 10 miles every day to work at Burger King for the minimum wage that she gets paid and with that she supports her three children: one which seems embarassed and ungrateful, but it definetely makes me very thankful. It also reminds me to not judge people by how they are dressed or what they look like on the outside, because whether it's in my school or at work I can never tell what type of hardships a person may have gone through to get to where they are now.

Deviance

In class we did an activity in our groups/as a class and it was based off "unknown" drugs and based off their descriptions/severity we had to rate the drugs as either "legal" or "illegal". After every group wrote and discussed why they rated a certain drug as either "legal" or "illegal" we saw that many drugs that were described as being very severe most groups ranked as "illegal-felony" and then we'd find out that the drug was something like Advil; however, there were some groups who ranked differently and we got to see how everyone has their own perception even toward drug descriptions. Imagine how people are in the real world, similar to when someone hears a description/gossip about a person. Similar to the different perceptions on drugs, people have different perceptions toward people- whether they are "bad" or "good" and to one person, the rudest kid can be the sweetest kid. it's all based on perception, and deviance. This can be related to me whenever I'm meeting new people, especially when it's your first day in high school. Sometime, because our school is so large you have those people that you know exist and you've seen them around but never actually talked to them nor had a class with them; but, your friends have and based off what they tell you, whether it's good or bad you make your own assumption based off the description (or information) given to you. Similar to the drug activity, after getting to know the person yourself you have your own understanding of the person, sometimes even having a closer connection. Whenever this occurs you realize that not everyone has the same perceptions as yours may be. Everyone has their own opinions for a reason, it allows for the complexity of our society and a better understanding of individuals.

When Are We Considered An Adult???

This week we have been discussed when are you actually considered a teenager and what draws the line to be considered an “adult”. We’ve realized that there’s more to it than just the transition of seventeen years old, to eighteen years old. The actual definition of an adult is: “having attained full size and strength; grown up; mature” but what actually determines that? Let’s not forget you can be six-foot, muscular or in-shape but how can that determine that you are now magically an adult? We discussed that every human is different and we all have our own opinions about when we can actually be considered an adult and ironically when we went around the room and asked “what age would you consider to be an adult?” most classmates answered with at least twenty-one, or perhaps older. I don’t even consider myself to be an adult yet, regardless of age. I believe an adult is someone who has fully matured, and who can be independent where as I still depend on many adults in my life, and still have a lot to learn about life before I can go ahead and call myself an adult. Also, I kind of like enjoying my childhood:). In addition, we read an article that tried to explain why teens and parents tend to bump heads often times on many circumstances- curfew, independence, marriage/dating age, and so on. It taught us that today teens are unfortunately very restricted than our parents were. Yes, we have the freedom to drive, get a job, but compared to parents, at the least my parents, we’re fairly restricted. My parents share stories about how they used to go all around town as kids, and today my parents hate the idea of me going to certain areas and places, regardless what they did as teens. I’ve learned that it’s not just a me thing, any teen can relate that the transition from teenager to adulthood is often times a stressful one. Teens get the feeling that parents “don’t understand” and adults have a tough time letting go of their kids especially in tougher, and sometimes more scarier, times in the world.

The Truth About Men

In class we discussed how males and females are portrayed very differently with the use of good ol' media- how men are far more "tough" "affirmative" and "independent" and how girls are "timid" "weak" and "dependent" when the truth they are trying to say is "girls can be taken advantage of due to the toughness and masculinity men behold." I find it ironic that everything we wanted beforehand was equality but men seem to take pleasure that they "stand higher" in rank, compared to women. I always see it around school, at the malls, anywhere really- boys always drool over sexual images, of girls trying to sell you perfume or something, and assume every girl looks like the airbrushed and photo-shopped Victoria's Secret models, and I'm not even too sure why places like that advertise to boys? I mean...girls are the ones who where them after all, and we know what a chest and bust look like. Of course media must find a way to advertise to both sexes while giving boys some fantasy. Even a movie is based on this who idea of females having to be "perfect" and men just acting pig like but still getting their ways, it's called The Truth About Men. It's a hilarious romantic comedy  and I must admit I loved watching it but the message it sets out to girls is every girl must have the perfect body, hair, chest, arms, etc and that's all men care about. This message shouldn't be the message any girl gets considering it makes any girl feel a little down if that isn't true. This can kind of be connected to the fish bowl metaphor we've used before. For example, anyone looking at us can only see what's on the outside and they automatically judge, judging on what they see; however, the girl or boy can really see the person they are looking at what's on the inside and loving themselves by that moral. I've always learned and been told by my mommy and especially my close friends and family to always be grateful and love myself. It's the best advice yet! =)

Thrive!

When I first got the Thrive article in class, I wasn't really sure what I was supposed to think of it- thrive to succeed? accomplish my goals? thrive to.. what? Then as I read I saw it dealt with making yourself a happier person, regardless of material things, money, and grades. Mr. Sal. said it would be one of the most influencial and important articles that we would read, ever. I definitely agree. It was interesting to see what it takes for us to live a easier, more satisfied life and honestly after reading it, it makes sense. When it talked about community, I connected to that the most because when my parents decided to move when I was still a baby, my mom chose this community specifically because of it's safety, education, and how you really can get to know your neighboors and feel comfortable. Since most homes in our area consist of the typical parents, and a few children either my age, older, or younger. The house is a decent distance to their work place and we have family and good friends around us. Most people typically put these things into account, espcially when starting families; this way their kids can grow up in a connect social enviornment. This also allows us to connect with friends we go to school with, grow up with them, etc. The article really did bring the factors of money not equaling happiness which unfortunately some people take for granted, and explains that family, friends, a healthy relationship and good health are the key's to happiness.

What's YOUR Subculture?

Earlier this week in class we discussed subcultures and how we are all a part of many different subcultures, whether it's the school we go to, our religion, or our community; we all make up a subculture. For example, i discovered just like our school has its own folkways, values, and mores i commonly share some with the school and have a combination of others due to my religion, ethnicity, and region. For example, my material culture connects with the school- Uggs, school apparel, Northfaces, and I also realized that due to our region we have different material cultures for each season with fashion fads that come with each. An example is gladiator sandals for the summer, and Uggs for the winter. Some mores of mine include going to college, influenced by family and friends and the school environment. Folkways I share in common with my community is silly, apparent,"haunted" areas in the community, and from Christianity people think we go to church every Sunday. Unique words I share in common with my community of course is the names of our towns, nick-names that come up with the schools around us, our school mascots. Finally, I found that I share common values with my classmates, which isn't something peculiar; however due to our community it shapes us that way and makes us a subculture using everyone in our school and community. For example, everyone has the value of going to school to get good grades to go to a decent college he/she is happy with. We were all raised that way, and go to a school that influences those morals on us.