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.

Topic 4: Tasks 2, 4, & 5

II. I am mostly a Visual learner, with being an Auditory learner being a very close runner up. However, if the traits of both of the aforementioned that apply to me the most (while discarding the traits that don't at all) were combined, I could be classify myself as an Auditory-Visual learner, with a little Tactile/Kinesthetic thrown in.

IV. Plan of Action: Learning Styles Inventory

5 Ways Per Course I Could Improve My Performance Based On My Specific Learning Style

Algebra 1:

• Increase the use of graphs, charts, and various other picture-aids. I will start applying this method immediately, & continue to do so as often as I remember until it becomes a habit.
• (I already do this, but not as often as I should.) In my notes and coursework, use highlighters more often to indicate the most important things & basic ideas that I need to remember, focus on, and apply in practice with my coursework. This can be done easily: by keeping up with my highlighters and keeping my notes organised. I plan to apply this method as soon as/when I get some new highlighters, and will continue to do so as long as I manage to keep up with them, and again, until it becomes a habit (that I don't even have to think about, but just always do. )
• (In the future, when I am back in a maths class taught by an actual teacher and not a computer) Pay close attention to (have a full view of) my teacher so that I don't miss anything important during a lesson. I plan to apply this method come next term, when I will be enrolled in Algebra II. As for how often... I will make sure to do this all of the time, during every class.
• (In accordance with my strong Auditory Learner traits...) Don't daydream so much in class, because like the above, I could miss something important the teacher has said. If it is a particularly difficult lesson for me, I should acquire a tape recorder, so that I may go over what was said during the lesson later in case I missed anything, or forgot something that was said. (If tape recorders, and recording class lectures/lessons isn't against school policy that is...then I plan to start and stick to this plan as soon as my next maths class begins next term)
• (Also in accordance with my strong traits as an Auditory Learner as well) Don't be too shy or aloof to ask questions if I don't understand something, and to discuss it aloud with the teacher present until I do. I need to work on my will to persevere no matter how hard a problem may seem, because in the past I have often just dismissed off Maths teachers upon hearing their explanations and advice after asking a question, because I would just give up too quickly on fully understanding the task at hand. No more. Again, I plan to put this into practice as soon as I am enrolled in my next maths course. As for how often, well...we'll see. It'll take a lot of work on my part to not give up so easily.

Service Learning:

• (Similar to the aforementioned; in accordance with my Auditory Learner traits) Again, don't be reluctant to participate, speak up, ask questions, and voice my opinions during class in general, but especially during discussions and activities requiring teamwork. I need to do a lot of work on my ability to tolerate and work with people I may not like, to not let anything they may say that I do not like get to me, and my own self confidence regarding any ideas I may suggest for a group's project. I plan to put this into practice once I feel that I am ready, honestly. As for how often I plan to keep it up...well, that's a slippery slope. Good days, bad days, perseverance. I've heard that "gradually, then suddenly" is often how ones' journey to combat habits/problems that hinder them academically, or at all; happens.
• (Back to my dominant Visual Learning Style traits) If a specific project, individual or group-based; is what's being planned and worked on...instead of just trying to visualise how all of it will go, I should jot down my ideas and whatever I'm seeing in my head that I can contribute to the project. By way of note-taking, drawn out maps/flow charts of the steps involved, plain brainstorming by doodling...etc. This way, I can keep up with my ideas both in a way that can be seen on paper by others involved, and my mind's eye. Unfortunately, I have been unable to participate in many of the class's activities, however I believe that the whole point of the class was to learn about how we as individuals could see ourselves in different careers, helping those in need (generally-speaking) and finding within ourselves the ability to enjoy connecting with/helping others and exploring their/different ways of life (or careers). Despite my setback of not being able to be present at the class's activities this spring, I have still learned a lot during the beginning of the quarter, and outside of school as well. Since I view a lot of the things I've learned as life skills, I plan to start trying to enforce the aforementioned method into personal projects as soon as possible, and stick to it.
• (Auditory Learning) "Dictate to someone while they write your thoughts down" In the past, I've had to take on a leadership role in organising one of our SL class's previous events this quarter. Instead of overanalysing the part of a group leader I played in said event, and backing down from my responsibilities because they seemed overwhelming, I should break down big tasks into smaller, more doable pieces...and not take all responsibilities upon myself because I don't feel that people I'm working with will "measure up to my standards" and do their parts well. I plan to start taking on this method immediately, but I can't really conjure up a vision of frequency right now. In time, if I make an effort, hopefully it will become a habit that sticks.
• (a touch on my few Kinesthetic Learning traits) "Take frequent (study) breaks." This is a need for me, aside from being constantly restless. In and outside of this class, that would help so that I could have a little time away to a. rest my mind and body for a bit so that I can return to working with more energy and/or b. have some time to myself to let formally discussed ideas soak in/be seriously considered, and allow for the flow of new ones. I plan to start this immediately as well, and do so each time I find the need and opportunity to do so whilst a project is in the making.
• (one more Kinesthetic Learning trait suggestion) "Listen to music while you study (and etc.)" I don't do this often enough when it would truly be helpful, because not only can music be helpful in that it is relaxing, it can also be inspiring. I already put this method into practice, but now I plan to try to do so more often when it could really be helpful (for inspiration, etc.)

V. Service Learning/Volunteer opportunities are not about you. Yeah, it's nice and natural to get an ego-high off of something grand you've done by yourself...but in the end, that's not what it's about. It's about the all of the good contributions and accomplishments that people, that we; are capable of doing as a whole. It's about the people (or animals! etc.) whose lives we make a little brighter by working together, even if it's a one-time-only thing. We made a difference in their lives, we did something that truly matters. The credit does not go to one individual, it doesn't really go to anyone at all. When one individual shows us that Mankind is capable of doing anything less than pure evil, that's definitely something to write your local paper about. However, when a group of people together demonstrate this...that is realy something incredible.

Topic 3 - Tasks 1-3

I.Study Skills
First off, let me be honest and say that I've never really studied in my school life so far. I've never needed to. I'd listen in class and retain information that way, by doing classwork, homework, and/or just by leafing through the textbooks when it was required, or occasionally; for fun if it was a subject I really liked. In that case, I would often read ahead and already have a good grasp on the subject. It depends on the subject and difficulty level thereof, though. Even as our classes have gotten harder over the years, with generally more work, and more difficult things to learn...you still wouldn't ever find me looking over notes at home to prepare for a test. I simply didn't need to, and when I applied myself I almost always got good marks. Let's jump to the present school year...

The items on the list I need to improve on the most are numbers 1 and 4, "Get to class on time" and "Get Started." I've always had to miss school sometimes due to crippling, hindering migraine headaches. However, come middle and high school, I started missing more and more school not just due to my headaches, but whenever I'd have an exceptionally bad day I'd just stay home. I've gone through complications this school year too numerous and (obv.) complicated to elaborate upon, but needless to say, I've missed a LOT of class my first year at PLC. Missing whole days of school, and even just whole classes, and often at that...works with #4, getting started. As a result, I'd find myself near end-of-term (or a deadline) with piles of make-up work to do. Now, in the past, this is what led to me ending up at PLC in the first place. At least now, I try to do all of the coursework I am both present and not present for in order to salvage and sharpen the sad GPA freshmen year earned me. I procrastinate, though. Always. Which makes it even more difficult and stressful. It starts with anxiety, thinking that the task at hand is much more than it is, and when one puts things off...that only makes the anxiety build up more.

II. Notetaking/Procrastination
Taking Notes (better)
1. I need to make a habit of completing my assignments on time, so that I can really use any notes I need (or are required) to take in class to my advantage; having understood the material covered the day previously.
2. It'd be helpful if I were more organised with my notebooks, so that I can easily find notes/material I need instead of spending ages leafing through them looking.
3. Sometimes things really are as simple as they seem. By this, I mean that I really don't need put so much detail into class notes specifically. Just the main ideas, most important stuff. If I still don't understand that...well...that's why someone made Wikipedia.
4. I need to stop losing my pens. Seriously. I need to designate a specific place for them, and above all...KEEP THEM THERE. (Kirsten, don't just toss your pen in your purse when you're done. You know you'll just spend forever looking for it next period...)
5. Speaking of pens, I need to stop playing favourites. Yes, I mean with pens. If I can't find my favourite one, it's not the end of the world...jeez. I won't die if I have to use a pencil or something.

Combating Procrastination
(is it really possible for me to at this point? ..heh.)
1. I am a huge perfectionist. Seriously. Over-analysation only makes it worse. A friend once gave me the advice that, it's just highschool assignments (generally) in things you don't truly care that much about anyway. And they're almost always simple, and/or doable without so much worry and effort. All that matters is getting it done, handed in, and a good grade. Then I figured, yeah, that's right. I don't always have to be the best, I just have to do it. And, often, when I do...I come out as the best anyway. (Meaning that, I've achieved what I wanted anyway - the satisfaction of achievment and a high grade.)
2. Oh gods, yeah, of course I fear failure. Failure to me kind of goes with the above, not coming out as "good enough" for my own self, let alone anyone else who matters. I guess the only way of combating that is by just sucking it up and doing whatever I have to do. It's a hard concept for me, when I'm used to just procrastinating or giving up completely on anything that seems too overwhelming, too out of reach, too impossible.
3. Structure, structure, structure. I envy other kids my age who have parents breathing down their necks every second, because they've got the structure in their lives that I lack. A parentcan be too controlling, but I wish I had one or two who punished me for bad grades, who forced me into clubs and hard classes. I don't, so I guess I'll have to find some way to do that for myself. Maybe like make my own sort of schedule and structure, and stick to it.
4. Really, procrastination in and of itself can be narrowed down into something very simple: really doing what I say I will and when.
5. Overall, ideally I'd like to get my head on straight so that I don't put everything off due to anxiety and whatnot.

III. Service Learning Weekly Journal

I don't have the option of volunteering with the rest of the class anymore, but recently on my own I volunteered to work at the Marigold Festival in Winterville. It was two very long days of carrying heavy things (park benches, cement blocks), setting up various things, running around playing Messenger Girl to let folks know what # their booth was and leading them to it, bad experiences with a strange kind of spray paint, heat that the likes of you-know-where can't even compete with, connections, dancing & country music, directing traffic/parking, lots of teamwork (it takes at least two to put up a giant tent...), etc...and it was awesome. The positives I can narrow down to are helping wonderful people and conversing with them on breaks, meeting someone who works at Cine who invited me to participate in the next "Plotluck," and then, on the day of the festival, seeing it all come alive and knowing that I...we all had a part in making that happen. And the negatives? Mostly the heat, being on your feet for so long and doing hard labour tasks in such heat made me sick, and the culture-shock of a country music concert (but I still managed to have fun). I was glad to have re-learned something that I'd forgotten: being part of a team that's setting up a major event is so much fun. Also, that work involving a heavy amount of physical labour doesn't always have to suck. In fact, it felt so good to come home each night thoroughly exhausted and satisfied. It takes a lot to organise, set up, and hold a major event such as a festival of any sort (the Marigold, Athfest, etc), but with each person doing their part, you can really create something spectacular. No one could do that alone, and it wouldn't be what it was if they did anyway.

The parade!

Topic 2: Tasks 1-3

I. (I could not, for the life of me; figure out how to make edits/comments on my transcript itself in Adobe Reader...so I'll just have to post my responses to this blog instead. I'll attach a link to my transcript itself anyway.)

Mistakes On My Transcript:

-My final grade for American Government was listed as an 88, however I distinctly recall Mr. Girtz informing me that I made an A- (I think he said I got a 90, but no higher than a 92.) I could be wrong, however I am going to check on this...just in case.

-My final grade for US History wasn't even on my transcript. Not even the grade itself...the class, too. As though I had never taken it, however I did take that subject while I was homeschooled and made a very high grade (100). Mr. Hunter told me that, since I had several subjects I had already taken in homeschooling, if I chose to I could just go ahead with taking the EOCT for the subject in question. If I passed the EOCT, whatever grade I had for said subject on my homeschooling transcript would be the one that went onto my highschool transcript. I was in Ms. Siegmund's US History for awhile before being informed of this, and then immediately studied what I needed to before taking its EOCT. Which I passed. And was then dropped from the class.

Classes I'm currently enrolled in:

As of right now, I am only taking the courses Algebra 1B and the Service Learning class.

II. Ten Year Plan: Let's Think Ahead!
Where I Want To Be In 10yrs: A List by K. Ariel Isolde Meyer
I dream big. Why sink or swim when you can breathe underwater?

1. active/renowned member of the Parapsychological Association + actively (a paranormal investigator, we are often called "ghost hunters," but we look for much more actually) investigating in sites all around the US & eventually the world
2. accepted into Mensa International (it's a high-IQ society >.>;; Hey, I can dream. Who doesn't think that'd be an awesome accomplishment to stroke my ego?)
3. an alumni of any of my dream colleges (Sarah Lawrence College, Wesleyan University, Cornish College of the Arts, Amherst College, etc etc.)
4. in accordance w/ the above, hold degrees in parapsychology, & film/writing (english & literature related I suppose? +there are few accredited places that one can learn parapsych stuff AND recieve a degree in the aforementioned...so this will be difficult, but do-able.)
5. having produced my first in progress screenplay, and I want my film to be featured in the Sundance Film Festival or any other awesome indie filmfest. and win something.
6. healthy (physically/mentally) & recovered.
7. living somewhere awesome (France or Holland? NYC? I wish Hotel Chelsea still accepted long-term residents. Oh, the bohemian life. ;D) with a pretty house full of art and random collected stuff, and a garden...and lots of cats of course
8. maybe I'll be politically active, I don't know, that's more of an understated focus/portion of my works and intended deeds...but still there. my political beliefs and intentions, I mean.
9. Oh goodness, well, falling in love is a most wonderous yet distracting thing that coats everything one thinks and feels and does in some way. So. My goal is to NOT be married or something like that, or at least if I am...not let that person occupy my thoughts to such an extent that I and they seem to merge and I cannot remember where I begin and they end. It's a most dreadful place to be.
10. Number ten. I absolutely want to have already, or be in the process of; publishing some of my writings that are not film-related. I'm a poet, and also somewhat nifty with strange essays of many sorts that I'm quite proud of, plus short stories...and I think it'd be kind of neat to be a playwright, too. Film is my heart and everything, though. So that can come second, writing for the theatre's stage.

II. How-ever shall I do so many things at once? Well, I am not entirely sure. I have pondered and studied over such steps many-a-time, but alas I have come to few practical conclusions or a realistic pacing thereof. I know I love to learn, and I need my education which is very important to me...so college is necessary. I also need to find a sense of who I really am before I try and do any of these things, except write, because I haven't stopped since I fell in love with my found medium at last at nine years of age. I have many ideas as to what I should do after high school, directly after, and they all include taking some sort of time off before I go back to school and to write (since that's the main focus of my future/life/career, aside from the paranormal). You see, there are many, many holes in the story about my parents and their pasts, in my family's past, and in my own. Some of which have been purposefully hidden, some forgotten, and even more lost to history. I also have this sort of pull within me to escape Athens and find out (reassure myself?) that there's more to the world, and to me, than everything I have experienced. Most of which has had a lasting negative effect on me, and perhaps if I explore other territories, it will be good for me in general, spiritually, AND last but certianly not least: inspiration for my writing. I don't know if that answered the question, but I do know it certianly helped.

III.

Since I have been unable to participate in the class's service learning activities, each time I am asked to discuss my experiences with service learning that week/so far...instead, I will write about why it is important to do these things, and include a new reason each time.

When I first began this post, we had begun to start planning our talent show/dinner fundraiser which would go toward feeding the homeless. Whilst planning events such as these, especially non-profit ones that are geared towards helping the community; it is really important that everyone involved take the project seriously and do their part. This applies to anyone doing that sort of thing alone, as well. It's easy to tell when a person involved doesn't really care about the project itself, and who it's going to benefit in the end.

Topic 1 - Tasks 1-2

For the tasks that request blog replies...

1. "Psych Evaluation": <- Joking...I have a strange sense of humour.
I could honestly use improvement in all of the aforementioned areas. I have gotten ill quite frequently over the last year, and in turn that has made me miss a lot of school. I set too high of expectations for myself, and obviously I fall short which in turn discourages me from trying to succeed further. I suppose by that definition I am insane, because I do not seem to ever learn from my mistakes. As for "building healthy relationships" -- what, exactly, defines a particular relationship as "healthy" or "unhealthy?" I think everything is perception and therefore, subjective. Then again, that may just be my neurosis talking.

2. (Well, you guys completely skipped over your basic hygeine and health care related to good school performance and whatnot. Like, get a good night's sleep, ummm....eat a well-balanced breakfast, get all of your vaccinations...that sort of thing. Oh, and avoid Caffiene. Trust me. All it gives you are the jitters for awhile, then you crash and feel sick and tired all over again. It's a vicious cycle.)

By all of that, I meant that from my perception...PLC seriously lacks in the encouragement and management of good health department. We don't have any medical supplies should a student fall ill, except for a defibrillator and a First-Aid kit. No school nurse, no cafeteria (yet)...and I hope that when we move into the bigger school next term, the rumoured cafeteria will encourage and offer healthy eating choices. I am aware that part of the bigger picture and whole point of PLC is that it's an alternative educational environment for those who need and/or choose it. We have students with health problems all around, for example: pregnant young women, students afflicted with serious life-threatening chronic illnesses, etc etc. What I am trying to get at, is that PLC currently is seriously lacking in many seemingly basic additions that would make our school better, and in turn; help myself and my fellow students.

I didn't mean for that to sound like a rant...more like a serious concern of mine. As far as habits a good PLC student should have that weren't on the list mainly concern medical/health issues. Maybe I have a selective deafness, but while all of its teachers and staff are very nice and helpful...I still only ever seemed to hear them encouraging getting your credits so that you could get your diploma and graduate. A good PLC student is also, in my opinion; one who takes good care of both their mental and physical health. Generally, the aforementioned almost always leads to performing better in school.

This post is not, by any means; an attack on PLC itself, its staff members, or its students like myself. I want to make that very clear, and I hope I have.