Journal #10

[word count: 302]

We had to choose an article this semester that related back to our community service project. Mine dealt with the homeless population. The article discussed the many factors that determine the length of time for how long an individual stays houseless or rough sleeps. However, I feel measuring something so qualitative is extremely difficult especially after volunteering at Metropolitan Ministries. It is strange to think about how many people would chose to not seek help even with so many resources available.

I snapped this picture one morning I was volunteering at Metropolitan. The first thirty minutes of my shift were spent straightening the cans into perfect lines. Even though they had so many nice cereals like Frosted Flakes and Honey Nut Cheerios, they had to hand out the FDA approved boxes first before they could hand out the fun cereals. I felt bad for the people who had to get the gross cardboard cereal just to allow another family to have the nicer cereal. A few hours later I had met so many different types of people, but I did not leave feeling a, “Wow I really made a difference today” moment. However, one morning I was working in the kitchen and I met a few different people who were special needs. It was pretty neat because we talked about where they were from and how long they had been at the shelter. One man was from Miami. Sometimes I wonder about people’s stories and how they end up in certain places and situations.

I am glad I volunteered at Metropolitan because it gave me a new perspective. I used to think the term, “clean-privilege” was joke (people who are able to shower whenever” until I spent a morning in a room with people who haven’t showered in who knows how long.

Journal #9

[word count: 336]

We read an article this semester which discussed the idea of people who “unplug” aka go without technology willingly or unwillingly. It is hard to lie, but I cannot live without my phone. I am constantly connected and even when I tell myself I need to take a break and read a book, I kid you not, five seconds later I am back on it. I often find I am on it more when I am avoiding responsibilities or with certain people.

But I think the people I meet up with even though I barely see their social media, or the people I meet up with and I am never on my phone around them, are the worthwhile individuals I would like to keep in my life. It it really special to have someone and be connected to them even when it is not based around the internet.

On April 17, 2017 my grandma unexpectedly died. We all had anticipated it would happen due to her alzheimer's, but she caught a cold and within an hour of being told she was going to hospice she was gone. It happened out of nowhere. She was never online except to look at our family’s Facebook posts on occasion. But of course, even though she never posted anything, she was still my grandma and we would see her all the time. Death is a hard thing to deal with.

I chose the above picture because I had called my job and told them of her death. I was able to come in later, but I still had to work that night. There was not another manager to cover my shift to close the store. Plus sometimes work is a good distraction to help make a positive difference in someone else’s life. My coworkers had been there for me last year when my grandpa died, and when I got to work they had my favorite flowers and a card signed by them all waiting for me. It was really touching.

Journal #8

One day in class, we discussed an article on echo chambers which was written by Bessi. My group did not have to do a reading or group summary on it, but I thought the concept was interesting. I think people create echo chambers without even realizing, and if we really took a look around, we would see them everywhere. However, before I had heard that term in class, I never would have thought about how much of our world is reaffirmed based on the things we surround ourselves with everyday.

My facebook, for example, is made of the same articles talking about wanderlust and so many food videos, but I have very little exposure to ideas that do not align with what I believe in already. In many ways I feel as though people in Greek life will create their own echo chambers. I speak from a perspective of having dating people in a fraternity and being in a sorority myself. I think in many ways they will create a world for themselves and their entire identity is based off of Greek life. But after they graduate, what will they have left? I joined a sorority thinking it would be a completely different experience from what happened, and overall I did not like it.

I chose this picture to accompany this journal post because it was taken at my boyfriend’s philanthropy event which ties into my thoughts on Greek life. In many ways I feel over that lifestyle, but I still respect what he does for his Fraternity. Also, I just really liked the dog in the picture. Dogs are amazing.

[word count: 271]

Journal #7

[word count: 254]

I decided to do another Third Place reflection as one of my journal entries because we read another article that tied back into our old familiar friend, Oldenburg. I realized that even though I wrote about the coffee shop, Felicitous, as my third Place, it really was not relevant to my life anymore. When I first started college I would walk across the street almost daily to sit and study there. I knew all the workers and would actually hang out with a few outside of their work. However, as my time in college continued, my Third Places changed.

Instead of going to tea or coffee shops, I found myself going to bars with my free time. It would feel nice to make new friends and not have to worry about studying or working for a few hours. But even still I could feel myself outgrowing the drunken college bar phase and wanting more. I look to the future and wonder where my next Third Place will be since I no longer find solace at the bars. Perhaps it is time to move on to a knitting club and embrace my inner grandma.

This picture was taken at the senior bar crawl. My best friend Cait made me come out after work and see all our friends. I barely drank, and it was so entertaining watching everyone make horrible mistakes. Looking back on it, I am glad I went because I was able to see my friends, but it is time for a change.

Journal #6

[word count: 288]

De Souza’s article discusses how children should be taught in a school system that adapts to the modern teaching system in order to stay relevant. They go on to say how we should nurture their imagination to create a more well-rounded individual (De Souza 133). When I read this part of the article, I could not help but agree. I feel as though our culture lifts up the sciences over the arts, but we need both to create a balance in our culture. Both science and art have the potential to create better ideas together than apart.

When I am at work, I can see the different reactions people give when I have told them I was a nursing major compared to a business major compared to a communications major. Even though I have found personal happiness and the most growth with a communications major, most people respond with a confused look and question what I would do with such a silly degree. But that is where balance comes into play. Without studying people, science would have no purpose.

I chose the above picture to accompany this journal post because it ties in with the idea of childhood De Souza discussed. I took this picture while I was in Saint Augustine, and a very kind woman gave us animal crackers and espresso out of her own generosity. It was the first time I had eaten animal crackers in years and it felt very nostalgic to me. I often wondered how my life would had been different if I did not have parents who encouraged me to pursue both the arts and sciences. Even though I am a communications major, I am actually very good at math and science.

Church

Our latest reading, by Mankowski and Thomas, focused on the benefits of church and how helped shape the identities of those who attended the U.C.C. during college. This reading was interesting to me because it seems I am constantly surrounded by people who find meaning in their lives through some type of religious practice. For example, my boyfriend Stefan was raised Catholic and still attends church every Sunday. I, on the other hand, was raised Baptist, but I quit attending church when I entered high school and decided to the agnostic life was more well suited for me. Thankfully our religious differences have not affected our relationship and we are able to discuss our different views to help the other understand.

Just a few weeks ago, I was actually talking to Stefan because I was curious why he still attends church. He told me although he is not sure about a God, he enjoys the takeaway lessons the sermons provides (like remembering to be a nicer and more loving individual). I told him, in the future I would love to go to church to him to give it another chance. Like those in the reading, I too am trying to find my way through life and perhaps religion can help me better under the big picture of, “WHY ARE WE HERE?” Anyways, I still have not gone with him to church, but as I tell friends I have not see in forever who want to hang out, “It, like, definitely is happening.” [Word Count: 254]

Communities of Practice

The reading by Wenger, discussed communities of practice and how they are important to our development. It provides a place for people to collaborate and learn thus improving the overall quality of life. I would argue my job works as a community of practice even though we all started working there for one common interest: money (because let’s face it… we’ve got bills to pay!) When I first started my job at Sur La Table, I was so excited for this new opportunity to learn about the kitchen and have a job that offers cooking lessons there in the store! It was exciting. The people were friendly and I was able to learn from them and hopefully let them learn from me. This was the goal, at least. The first few months I butted heads with a few of the “seniors” who had been with the company much longer than me and had a particular way of doing things. I listened and frequented my store manager to discuss options on how to appease everyone. But they had their ways and my manager saw a different future.  

It’s funny how the novelty of a new place can soon wear off and collect dust in the corner like the Chef Barbie doll we had to have as little girls who was quickly replaced by Malibu Barbie who had a tan. I can see the flaws in my store, but I am lacking any Lysol wipes or bleach to disinfect the toxic environment that has been created through too much gossip and little work ethic. I find myself repeating, “well, if I don’t do it, I know no one else will” too many times in a day. 

Hopefully, this store will clean itself up, but in the meantime I’m applying for jobs while writing this journal entry. [word count: 304]

Group Brainstorming

The article The perfect Brainstorm goes into full detail in two breathtakingly long pages about how to host the perfect group brainstorming session. It tells us to have an engaging host to keep the conversations flowing freely like the tears of the kid sitting in the library corner. We should provide a manager-free zone to reduce stress, and remember to have fun! And after those three steps, go back to sleep because the last time any of us had fun at work was in kindergarten when we were still offered coloring time and animal cookies. (Author’s Note: Actually scratch that, we should definitely go back to kindergarten. Nostalgia is a funny thing, right?) Okay, brainstorming isn’t as bad as I am making it out to be. However, personal experiences has shown the moment anyone has told me our work meeting will be fun, I can’t help but roll my eyes and continue to show a fake enthusiastic and scream out, “SO much fun!”  I really can’t imagine anything better to do with my time than to be here on a Sunday at 10 O'Clock at night with people I barely want to see during the day. (Author’s Note: I really am not this negative. I just like being satirical.) Let me get to the point.

As I was walking to my class and snapped this photo, I had no idea the horrors that awaited me in two hours. Last night, we had to decide if our final project would be: 1) a research paper that requires no socializing, no group work, and no creativity or 2) to create a zine with other members of the class who never want to come to class and never want to speak up in class. Clearly a research paper would be easier. I can easily argue a claim, but thank you democracy. They voted on doing a zine. But hopefully it won’t be so bad. I just have to get in touch and work with people online who cannot be bothered to do even their weekly discussion posts. [word count: 344]

Novelty

Sometimes it’s so easy to build a routine. Wake up. Go to school. Do homework. Sleep. Wake up. Work. Come home. Sleep. Repeat. Routine inevitably surrounds us. In fact, Youtubers most watched video are of them showing their audiences their morning routine. Their night routine. Their Spring routine. But i’m sick of routine. I want novelty. I want days that are spontaneous like the ones I had during the summer going into college where it took a text message and I was doing something new and exciting. I think sometimes I become so engulfed in routine I forget I have the option to make a change whenever I feel like it. Sometimes I want to just pack up and leave college and start my days already as a [famous] traveler or blogger. But when opportunity strikes will I be willing to take it, or do I have to find it and create it? I still haven’t quite decided. They say luck plays a huge part into success, but I’m 22 and i’ve only won one basket in a luck-of-the-draw contest. Obviously, I’m not dropping out anytime soon, but at least I can embrace the little things that change day-to-day. There’s Spring Break coming up and I do have food to look forward to each day. [word count: 215]

Third Place

I chose to observe Felicitous Coffee and Tea house for my Third Place. I repeatedly frequented this place my freshmen year of college, so I thought it would be fitting to revisit since I have not been here in almost three years. When I used to come here, I made friends with many of the employees. They knew me by name and I would even hang out with my friend Savannah, who worked there, outside of Felicitous. I would also come here a lt with my friend Jamie and we would leave with new friend we would make there. These characteristics are very important for a Third  Place.

Geographically the coffee house is located off of Fowler and 51st. I have walked to Felicitous many times because it is located just on the outskirts of campus. Jamie and I would joke about how we were travelers just like the hobbits in Lord of the Rings. It is a very small and eclectic coffee house. It was once a house and the owners transformed it into a business. The wood panelings are painted turquoise and to the left there is outside seating. Occasionally they host open-mic night and encourage anyone to come and sing or just watch. On the inside, the space is very open and inviting. There are couches and chairs every where for people to not only sit, but engage in conversations. The chairs are set up so everyone can enjoy the space. It is not meant for one person to have the couch--instead everyone can sit on the couch.

Oldenburg’s patterns and ideas towards the third place are extremely noticeable at Felicitous. I came in by myself, ordered a drink, and sat to observe. In one nook, two women were seated several feet away. It was clear they did not know each other before entering the Third Place, but still they felt open enough to strike a conversation. Somehow they were on the topic of a TV show and after a few minutes they both went back to their work. Today, many people came to study with their laptops, but they did not mind intermittent conversations with those around. It was apparent many people here were regulars and felt very comfortable in the space.

It was nice to reflect on Felicitous as a Third Place. I always knew it was different from other places I had been to because it was very inviting and had a feel of camaraderie--I just never knew what to call it.