Topic 12

I wasn't able to participate in the PLC annual Spring cook-out celebratory thing, so I leave you with this as my final blog entry charting my experiences in Service Learning of Spring '10:

When I tried to make it expressly clear that Service Learning activities were not at all about you as an individual, I didn't tell you the full truth. All apologies, my bad. There is something more that I feel the need to say.

Helping others does not mean that you must be a martyr and completely sacrifice & ignore yourself and your own needs to attend to someone else's. No, we've all still got to keep in mind to help ourselves, too. Activities like the ones encouraged in this class are marvellous in every way, but they're by no means the only way to help your fellow man. Never give up. In the end, it all comes down to that. Never give up on yourself, the world, and everyone else in it. We forget it often, I know I do...but we're all in this together, we're all wandering this uneven planet wondering why it keeps sticking to our feet. Ever feel lost? You're not. To quote my favourite book, and my "Bible" in a sense:

"Here’s what I know about the realm of possibility— it is always expanding, it is never what you think it is. Everything around us was once deemed impossible. As hard as it is for us to see sometimes, we all exist within the realm of possibility. Most of the limits are of our own world’s devising. And yet, every day we each do so many things that were once impossible to us."

We all exist within the realm of possibility, and I can honestly say that through volunteer opportunities and my own life this past term, I have finally gotten confirmation about many things I've feared were never true, never real. But they are. Even just a simple smile their way as you're walking past someone could make their day, and this helps both of you. It reminds you that it is possible for the little things to be full of meaning, and the same to the other person.

I don't care if what I've written sounds cheesy, because it's just honest and that's all I need. Go on, go out there and spread love & the reminder of the realm of possibility like a curse. Make connections. Make someone's day. Let someone make your day. It doesn't matter how. Keep your head up and just smile once in awhile...

I know I will.

Au revoir et enchanté;

~Kirsten Ariel Isolde Meyer

Topic 11: Tasks 1 &2

I.You could be worse
You know proper cell phone etiquette, but you don't always practice it. With just a little more effort, you can avoid the evil stares of strangers and save yourself the embarrassment of revealing private details on a quiet bus. Remember to use the environmental settings on your phone, excuse yourself from a conversation if it is necessary to make or take a phone call, and brush up on your cell phone etiquette here.

Those were my results from the cell phone etiquette quiz.

II. The supervisors I've had thus far have always been helpful in explaining things, and if I still had to ask questions about what I was supposed to be doing. However, since I have found myself in places alone on a volunteer message, they would often have to attend to other duties but would trust me to take care of what they wanted done. I valued most of all that they would trust me to work independently. Since that is something I particularly value, trusting the people working with you; as an aspiring screenwriter/director I would have to supervise many, many parts of the filmmaking process. I believe, though, that it's important for the director to trust his or her cast and crew, and vice versa. Especially in artistic career lifestyles, and in the one I want to pursue where you do in fact have to be part of a team (directors don't run around screaming orders for everyone else to take like obedient dogs, gods no...); trust is a very important aspect of the overall journey. You're trusting them to help you transform your film to life, and they're trusting you to trust that they know what they're doing (the cast & crew), but that if you have a problem with the way they're doing something...you will let them know so that everything can run smoothly again. An actor is much more than just someone taking orders on how to carry out their role. They put a part of themselves into the character, and not only does that make for a much more emotionally realistic film that will capture your audience. There have been many moments in our favourite films that may very well have been the actor's idea just to see if doing this-or-that slightly different would alter the scene in a preferable way and make it better, that the director liked so much, it was kept in the final cut of the film. Accidents, too, made on the part by actors (i.e. Eva Green in The Dreamers setting her hair on fire as she accidentally got too close to a candle on the dinner table to kiss Matthew a good-night, but she quickly grabs it with her hand to put it out, and continues with the scene almost effortlessly while Michael Pitt has to improvise a little to include a very concerned "Are you alright?" to Green as Isabelle, to which she replies that she'll be fine, and continues to ask if Matthew will stay with herself and Theo that evening.) sometimes make it onto the final cut of a film, and make that particular scene a little bit more interesting, or exactly what it should be, or maybe even perfect...entirely by accident on their part. It shows that the director trusts them as actors if he or she likes their mistakes or changes to their character.

Topic 10: Tasks 1-3

I. Forms of Communication

Written:

• Informative/Directional signs. Potential problem: if someone could not understand the language they were written in. A solution: recording the necessary information on the sign twice, once in the primary language of that country (English, in our case); and again in the second most common spoken language in that area (ex. French, in Canada.
• Various things written by hand (ex. letters, a rarity these-days). Potential problem: illegible, messy handwriting. A solution: getting someone else with better handwriting to record what you want to say for you. (apparently that's what the Royals used to do back in the day...but probably because they were above writing their own letters, I don't know.)
• Lists of ingredients on food products bought. Potential problem: your average Joe doing his grocery shopping doesn't understand all of those funky chemical terms. A solution: the companies making these products very well could make the extra effort to make these easier to understand. (Or, just not putting crazy, unhealthy and unnecessary additives into our food...just a thought...)

Verbal:

• The most obvious one...spoken-word conversation. Potential problem: not speaking clearly. i.e. speaking too fast, muttering, stuttering, a strong accent the other party is unfamiliar with. A solution: speech therapy.
• Announcements given over an intercom, or information exchanged through walkie-talkies. Potential problem: faulty electrics/equipment, background noise. A solution: if on a walkie-talkie, remember...they only have a short radius in which you'll get a clear signal. or, check the batteries. in the case of an intercom, hire your best and preferably cheapest electrician via the Yellow Pages.
• Cellular phone communication. Potential problem: entering a poor, or no-signal zone unexpectedly. A solution: place many, many angry calls to your service provider, insisting that there is a problem with your phone and demanding assistance immediately. or, be aware of what places have signal, and what places don't. oh, and warn the person you're talking to beforehand...it's polite.

Non-verbal:

• Hand signals. Potential problem: the other party is completely bewildered, and gets the wrong message entirely. A solution: designate certain, clear hand signals with your friends or whoever when necessary. or, keep yourself updated on the current hip ways to say things via strange hand movements. useful info!
• Mouthing the words you wish to convey to another so as to be quiet. Potential problem: this practice is very rarely ever successful. A solution: learn telepathy, if you have a cell phone, just text them and keep your phones on silent if it's A Big Secret, don't do this period because it makes you look silly anyway.
• Picture/symbol messages. Potential problem: misinterpretation. "Wait, the big orange hand means it's safe to cross, right...?" A solution: auditory announcements at the same time.

II. I think I generally have good communication skills. I often hear that I am "a good conversationalist". Sometimes, though, people misinterpret what I'm trying to say or what I mean, especially over the Internet and text messaging. That's why I prefer the telephone, or in-person conversing. Not only is it more personal, it is also clearer more times than not. Occasionally, if I'm trying to explain something to someone and I have a memory lapse, I'll fill in with a lot of "ummmm...."s and very, very strange hand signals. Or, if I'm not too tired to do so, metaphors and similes can generally suffice. I really don't mean to sound like an egotistical haughty intellectual by this...but the biggest problem others find whilst communicating with me is the frequency of big words and medical terms I tend to use.

III. Since Service Learning is all about volunteering and learning about different lives/careers, good, clear, understandable communication is a necessity. One cannot learn if they cannot clearly & completely receive the other party's information. I have found that, having to complete volunteer work on my own, it is very important that when looking around for accepting organisations I speak clearly and precise, that I express what it is exactly that I'm looking for in a polite manner, and that I show through body language & speech that I am interested at a volunteer opp, and grateful that I was invited to participate.

Topic 9: Tasks 2-3

II. It's hard for me to capture exactly what my general attitude is, because I'm often moody and it (what I'm feeling, how I'm acting) could be anything. I tend to lean more towards pessimism in my own thoughts, but I advocate and try to be a medium for optimism. Either way, I'm not only and always one or the other. I'm very polite, sweet, and open (while being shy at the same time, not being entirely confident and hoping to make a good impression)...a good listener...open-minded, but not always the most aware person. I say that because, especially when it comes to my strange sense of humour, I can accidentally offend or freak out people. I'd say that I normally react in a neutral (vs. positively or negatively) way to situations that arise in my life. By that, I don't mean that I'm flat and un-emotional. In fact, I mean exactly the opposite: it's hard to predict how I'll be approaching and really feeling in a certain situation. One thing I can at least say remains constant is my tendency to be a people pleaser. The only exception to this is that I instinctively stick by the rule "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" and I'll remove myself from an area if I'm not in a particularly good mood. It's very rare that I'll say or do anything to deliberately make someone else uncomfortable or unhappy. Another however...I am sometimes really sarcastic, and it isn't always caught.

The attitude I display at my volunteer opportunities is not all that different from the one described above, except that the whole "people pleaser" aspect is put to the extreme. I try to, or tend to; show only the things about myself that I like, that I think other people will like so as to make the best impression possible. I don't mean that I'll be "fake"...no, I think what I'm trying to say is that, whilst at a job I try to make the best impression possible on everyone, and also working in these situations generally completely distracts me from falling into my little negative hole of despair and moody craziness. Seriously! Besides, if you want someone to give you a good review, and to consider inviting you back...wouldn't you instinctively suppress any action that might not make them so willing to do so? I think so. Charming, genuine, innovative, adventurous, polite, well-educated, witty, enthusiastic...that's me on a good day in a nutshell, I guess. It's hard to analyse yourself honestly and correctly. Isn't psychology just the greatest?!

III. As always, I will describe what's important to keep in mind about Service Learning. A good attitude is obviously very, very important so that, again; you will come back from a job with good reviews and perhaps the supervising people wanting to invite you back. Not only that, but we can't always choose our volunteer opportunities and thus must sometimes do things we're not exactly fans of, maybe even things we hate. Forcing yourself to be positive makes these unfavourable tasks a lot easier to get through. Sometimes, through just trying to be positive about what you're doing, you'll actually find that you're starting to surprisingly enjoy yourself.

Topic 8: Tasks 1-3

I. Workplace Safety

Recently, I have been lucky enough to get the chance to volunteer at the elementary school where my aunt works; South Jackson Elementary. Even though I'm so used to being around people older than myself, it wasn't difficult at all to bond with the kids and not feel strangely out of place. I can pretty much get along with anyone. Anyway, something I was actually thinking about frequently throughout the day was about how fragile a child's psyche is. It wasn't hard for me to edit my language for obscenities, and that sort of thing...but it definitely occured to me that if you work frequently with children (anyone younger than...11? sounds like a good place to draw the line.), you have to be careful that you don't accidentally influence them in negative ways. Immidiately you think, okay all I have to do is not curse or say anything relative to sex/drugs/explicit violence/etc. It's not as simple as that. You have to make sure that you're not giving any of them the "wrong" idea about something, i.e. something that they're not mature enough to understand, or something that might harm their psychological development. Sometimes all it takes is one thing, one time, one slip. They're the future, not us. That's why it's so important.

II. Safety & Health In The Workplace

The website given on the blog wasn't particularly helpful concerning the above when you're in a workplace that also has children for whom you are also responsible for, besides yourself. Sanitation, I think, is the main concern when working around a lot of kids (note: these examples are coming specifically from a school setting) because, not only are schools breeding grounds for colds and other illnesses that are easily spread (amongst themselves, and potentially to yourself)...but sometimes a school may be under-funded, and as such its bathrooms, lunchrooms, etc. might be poorly maintained. Another main concern is maintaining complete and utter awareness of the little ones you're responsible for. Keep track of them, children are naturally curious and can easily get seriously injured accidentally in so many ways. I speak from experience, let's just say I wasn't born right-handed. Johnny Depp once said that, "Living with young children is like hanging around with miniature drunks," and that just about sums it up. Drunks can't always take care of themselves, they trip and fall, they bump into things... though older kids are a little better, like they've "sobered up" more, to stay with his simile. That doesn't mean that they still can't injure each other or you; or spread colds and such easily.

III. While I'm on the subject, I'll elaborate upon the importance of tolerance. Specifically, tolerating children, both younger and older...and the ones in-between. Some people are just naturally in tune with their paternal/maternal instincts, and they not only don't mind taking care of kids, but often enjoy it and find it easy. Then there's also some people who just don't have the patience for it, some who are in-between but careless...not everyone is the same. The same goes with people you have to cooperate with in the workplace, no matter how old they are. They still need, and deserve; to be tolerated. If not only for the sake of getting the job done, but also to consider them as someone you could come to get along with easily. It goes both ways, they need/deserve yours, and you; theirs.

Topic 7 - Task 3

First of all, concerning the fields I want to pursue; your portfolio is basically your "resume". I don't write as often as I should, and it's recommended for all writers to do some writing every single day. Even if it isn't exactly "good", like muscles -- if you don't use your gift, it will begin to atrophy in a sense. I haven't ever taken any formal instruction (and in return, received constructive criticism) on creative writing (not counting school lit classes, where usually you write on a required subject) in general. I plan to definitely do this in the future, wherever they may be offered before and (of course in) college. I've heard, and noticed this myself; frequently that I am an incredibly rare empathetic, loving, and loyal individual. Once, a friend asked why I seemed to continuously put myself into dating/relationship-related situations where I am likely to get hurt (and I have, often). My answer was simple: I call myself a "dark optimist" because, while I may worry about things going wrong and try to convince myself that they (always) will...I still always, everytime, with everyone and everything hope & dream for the best. The friend replied that it was rare to find someone who loved as hard and long as I do, and that it was a good thing. I know that my empathy will aid in the success of my writing and films. Every director's (whether it's film or theatre) goal is to tell a story that will produce strong emotional reactions in their audience, themes that they can relate to. This isn't a hard one for me, as I am a very understanding person. We'll just see what happens, eh?
The other quality of mine that I believe will most definitely aid in my creative life is my attention to detail and love of metaphors/symbology. I like to dig as deep beneath the layers of whatever I'm curious about as possible, it's just the way I'm programmed to function. Over-analysation. While often a terrible curse, where else would I get my stories if I didn't look at the world with an open mind, determined to find "the meaning of it all" in everything?

Topic 6 - Tasks 3-4

Time Management

There are numerous ways that I could implement time management into my daily life. For starters, I always seem to underestimate how long it will really take me to get ready to go somewhere, thus I am constantly late. If I could be realistic and give myself enough time, I would be on time more often to events. I also tend to waste needed time in useless ways, such as by daydreaming in school if I'm bored...and if I could just grit my teeth and bear through things I don't particularly like to do, I'd definitely find myself with less make-up work to do later. It would also probably help if I wore a watch, that way I'd know what time it was all day without having to search through my purse or wherever to find my cell phone.

I always seem to be overwhelmed with obligations, and my approach to that is almost always to procrastinate. I've gotten better, however, in just doing as much as I possibly can as soon as I possibly can; so that I don't wind up with even more obligations later and at least got something done. Something is generally better than nothing.

Task IV - Weekly Service Learning Journal

My personality type results from the gacollege411 website from topic 5 (that's what test this task is talking about, isn't it?) don't really correspond with the types of volunteer work I've found to do to make up my hours. I just look for work wherever I can, liking it or not. Knowing myself, I'm certain that I'll have many challenges in the careers (filmmaker, writer, etc). I want to pursue. A huge part of it comes with college -- I don't have a very good track record with school. If I was genuinely interested in what I was studying, I might be more motivated to perform better, but either way -- I have to polish the skills I already possess until they shine, which a college can be good for. If I don't, I won't be able to do all of the things I long to do.