When visiting the "Y", members will notice brochures, pamphlets, schedules and all kinds of other material on tables, walls and shelves that help to make people aware of what is offered at the YMCA. One piece of material that I brought to class was a pamphlet of YMCA Small Groups.
When people think of the YMCA, they think of a friendly, caring and spiritual environment. The YMCA does a great job of showing what they stand for. This sheet discusses small groups at the "Y" that anyone can get involved in. Most of them are either eight week or fifteen week classes that allows members to interact with others and answers questions about different topics. For example, one of the eight week classes is titled "Journey to a Life of Courage" where participants can learn how to overcome fears of rejection, abandonment and perfection and build a life of faith, surrender, passion and courage.
By giving members an opportunity to interact with peers, answer tough questions, and just discuss life overall, it helps bring the YMCA community closer and become more of a large family. I believe that the "Y" purposefully formatted these groups so that they seemed more relaxed and discussion based rather than a bible study. This helps to attract those people who might not be very religious but want to interact with people who they can talk to about tough situations in life and become a better person.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Three Cups of Tea
The book Three Cups of Tea is a book about a man who stepped out of his comfort zone into another country and another culture to fulfill his calling by teaching children about equality, acceptance and perserverance through education. When you initially read the title, it doesn't mean anything to you until you dive deeper into the context. After learning what this title, Three Cups of Tea meant, it made me think of how much hard work went into this book and this story. We see how important it is to build relationships and listen to others with a kind humility. Greg Mortenson obviously accomplished this and earned the respect of many people who will never forget what he did for their community.
Does this book do a good job of conveying a culture?
Yes, I believe it does. Mortenson describes everything in such detail that it helps readers to feel a personal connection with him as if they were living the story in the book. It helped me to see what kinds of things go on in countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan, those things that I thought I knew about but really had no idea. One example that hit me was when he was talking about the children doing arithmetic in the dirt. I thought about how the dirt will eventually wash away and their arithmetic will only be a memory in their minds. A piece of paper or a pen is something we just take for granted but by reading this book, it made me aware of those little things in life that I should appreciate more.
Does the writing engage you? What techniques does the author use?
The writing is very engaging because the author does a wonderful job of allowing you to picture everything that goes on during Mortenson's adventures both at home and in Pakistan. Although this book was wonderful, it is a challenging piece because it's not a book to skim. You have to read each word and sometimes pause to understand what has just been said. The names are difficult to pronounce and sometimes you must read ahead in order to understand a passage completely.
Overall, I thought this book was a written form of a wonderful story. Greg Mortenson will die knowing that he has fulfilled his duty and allowed children of Afghanistan and Pakistan to learn skills that they can build lives upon and cherish forever.
Does this book do a good job of conveying a culture?
Yes, I believe it does. Mortenson describes everything in such detail that it helps readers to feel a personal connection with him as if they were living the story in the book. It helped me to see what kinds of things go on in countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan, those things that I thought I knew about but really had no idea. One example that hit me was when he was talking about the children doing arithmetic in the dirt. I thought about how the dirt will eventually wash away and their arithmetic will only be a memory in their minds. A piece of paper or a pen is something we just take for granted but by reading this book, it made me aware of those little things in life that I should appreciate more.
Does the writing engage you? What techniques does the author use?
The writing is very engaging because the author does a wonderful job of allowing you to picture everything that goes on during Mortenson's adventures both at home and in Pakistan. Although this book was wonderful, it is a challenging piece because it's not a book to skim. You have to read each word and sometimes pause to understand what has just been said. The names are difficult to pronounce and sometimes you must read ahead in order to understand a passage completely.
Overall, I thought this book was a written form of a wonderful story. Greg Mortenson will die knowing that he has fulfilled his duty and allowed children of Afghanistan and Pakistan to learn skills that they can build lives upon and cherish forever.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Update: 3/14/11
This is for Professor Lovvorn:
An update on my blogs. I have been traveling out of town for golf so haven't been in class as much. I am trying to keep up with my blogs. I have only done one interview but I have taken field notes at the YMCA. I plan to do another interview or two this week. I have been reading the Three Cups of Tea and I am sure that I will need to post a blog about it soon. When I get back to class on Wednesday I will find out and do the assignment.
Update 3/14/11
An update on my blogs. I have been traveling out of town for golf so haven't been in class as much. I am trying to keep up with my blogs. I have only done one interview but I have taken field notes at the YMCA. I plan to do another interview or two this week. I have been reading the Three Cups of Tea and I am sure that I will need to post a blog about it soon. When I get back to class on Wednesday I will find out and do the assignment.
Update 3/14/11
Interview #1 Thomas
Thomas: 20 year old baseball player; Navy ROTC midshipman....
Name some reasons why you workout at the YMCA:
-working out is important to me to stay in the best physical shape I can; weights are important for lifting; cardio is important for athletes in training; group fitness classes; access to pools, basketball/raquetball courts; yoga classes are important for me to stay limber.
How is the community atmosphere at the Y?
-atmosphere is friendly; don't feel pressured or awkward there; meet a lot of people; socialize with people you normally wouldn't because you both clearly have something in common.
What is the main reason you use the Y?
-my parents pay for it
How long have you been a member?
-only a year or so
Would you have utilized the YMCA earlier in life if you could have?
-no because I would have only been able to use the basketball courts or the pool; the YMCA is good for teens and up.
Why do you believe the YMCA is so successful above another regular gym?
-It is Christian based so there are good influences and good people; a lot of options for working out and other activities.
What is it like in a men's locker room?
-older men or men coming and going to work use it most; older men utilize the showers; it seems that men 60 and up tend to linger more and lock their things away in the lockers.
Do you think there is a certain dress that people wear while working out?
-Depends on gender and age. Older men with high school kids aren't as much into fashion, they usually wear sweat pants and old holey T-shirts; men in their 20s and 30s seem to have the coordinated bright colored outfits; after the holidays is when you should expect to see people wearing better outfits because they got them for Christmas for their New Year's Resolution to get in shape.
Name some reasons why you workout at the YMCA:
-working out is important to me to stay in the best physical shape I can; weights are important for lifting; cardio is important for athletes in training; group fitness classes; access to pools, basketball/raquetball courts; yoga classes are important for me to stay limber.
How is the community atmosphere at the Y?
-atmosphere is friendly; don't feel pressured or awkward there; meet a lot of people; socialize with people you normally wouldn't because you both clearly have something in common.
What is the main reason you use the Y?
-my parents pay for it
How long have you been a member?
-only a year or so
Would you have utilized the YMCA earlier in life if you could have?
-no because I would have only been able to use the basketball courts or the pool; the YMCA is good for teens and up.
Why do you believe the YMCA is so successful above another regular gym?
-It is Christian based so there are good influences and good people; a lot of options for working out and other activities.
What is it like in a men's locker room?
-older men or men coming and going to work use it most; older men utilize the showers; it seems that men 60 and up tend to linger more and lock their things away in the lockers.
Do you think there is a certain dress that people wear while working out?
-Depends on gender and age. Older men with high school kids aren't as much into fashion, they usually wear sweat pants and old holey T-shirts; men in their 20s and 30s seem to have the coordinated bright colored outfits; after the holidays is when you should expect to see people wearing better outfits because they got them for Christmas for their New Year's Resolution to get in shape.
Friday, March 4, 2011
English Class
Hey Thomas,
We are supposed to write a letter to a family member or friend telling them how our class is going this semester. I am in third year writing at 8:00 AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Today is the day before spring break starts and I am especially tired. Usually by 7 AM I'm up and ready to go, but not today.
I like my teacher, Professor Lovvorn. I have had him before so that's why I picked him for this semester's class. He is a great teacher and is very knowledgable on the subject. There are pros and cons to taking his class.
First, I enjoy just writing posts like this on my blog every couple of days. It's nice not to have to worry about tests or quizzes on the readings. However, he has assigned us to do a 15-20 page paper at the end of the semester to grade. That's it. So without a time schedule and due dates periodically for this assignment, I am kind of procrastinating which is not in my nature. It seems like it's going to be a fun project, but I am also a little worried about making the time between golf, school work and class to go to these places and gather information.
We also have assigned readings that I can hardly find time to do. They are REALLY LONG readings! I dont even know how the professor has time to read it all. I find that the readings are boring and are things that we should just refer to if we have questions during our paper, not something that we need to read every detail. I could skim 40 pages and get the gist of what the writer is saying. However, I see how he feels that it will help us with this semester-long project.
For my project, I am studying the culture of the YMCA. I know how much you love to go to the YMCA and I will be interviewing you soon with questions as to why it is so appealing to someone your age. I am going to have to make time over my spring break to go to different "Y's" and take notes and talk to people. I have a feeling everyone is going to look at me like "what?" when I tell them what I am doing. Oh well! I just hope I can gather 15-20 pages worth of information!
Well, that it pretty much it! Hope you do well in your baseball game!
Love you bunches!
Jennifer
We are supposed to write a letter to a family member or friend telling them how our class is going this semester. I am in third year writing at 8:00 AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Today is the day before spring break starts and I am especially tired. Usually by 7 AM I'm up and ready to go, but not today.
I like my teacher, Professor Lovvorn. I have had him before so that's why I picked him for this semester's class. He is a great teacher and is very knowledgable on the subject. There are pros and cons to taking his class.
First, I enjoy just writing posts like this on my blog every couple of days. It's nice not to have to worry about tests or quizzes on the readings. However, he has assigned us to do a 15-20 page paper at the end of the semester to grade. That's it. So without a time schedule and due dates periodically for this assignment, I am kind of procrastinating which is not in my nature. It seems like it's going to be a fun project, but I am also a little worried about making the time between golf, school work and class to go to these places and gather information.
We also have assigned readings that I can hardly find time to do. They are REALLY LONG readings! I dont even know how the professor has time to read it all. I find that the readings are boring and are things that we should just refer to if we have questions during our paper, not something that we need to read every detail. I could skim 40 pages and get the gist of what the writer is saying. However, I see how he feels that it will help us with this semester-long project.
For my project, I am studying the culture of the YMCA. I know how much you love to go to the YMCA and I will be interviewing you soon with questions as to why it is so appealing to someone your age. I am going to have to make time over my spring break to go to different "Y's" and take notes and talk to people. I have a feeling everyone is going to look at me like "what?" when I tell them what I am doing. Oh well! I just hope I can gather 15-20 pages worth of information!
Well, that it pretty much it! Hope you do well in your baseball game!
Love you bunches!
Jennifer
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Glossary of Words for the YMCA Culture
These are some words that insiders of the YMCA culture would know and possibly some outsiders.
1. "The Y": most everyone that attends the YMCA on a regular basis don't refer to it as the YMCA, they shorten it to "the Y".
2. Group Fitness: this is the term used for group fitness classes. Most people might know what this is but YMCA folks refer to it at group fitness.
3. Zumba: This is a popular term for women these days. Its a dance class that is continually growing in popularity. Its a mix of hip hop and salsa dancing. Most women LOVE this class and if you aren't a member at the YMCA or other recreation center, most likely you will not know what "zumba" means. It's a fabulous class thats fun and gives you a workout all at the same time!
4. Movie Room: I know that this is a term most people who attend the Maryland Farms YMCA will know. This YMCA has a movie room where you can go on a machine or lift weights in a dark, cold room while working out.
5. Spiritual Vitamins: These are little slips of paper with bible quotes on them when you enter or exit the YMCA that are free for anyone to take.
1. "The Y": most everyone that attends the YMCA on a regular basis don't refer to it as the YMCA, they shorten it to "the Y".
2. Group Fitness: this is the term used for group fitness classes. Most people might know what this is but YMCA folks refer to it at group fitness.
3. Zumba: This is a popular term for women these days. Its a dance class that is continually growing in popularity. Its a mix of hip hop and salsa dancing. Most women LOVE this class and if you aren't a member at the YMCA or other recreation center, most likely you will not know what "zumba" means. It's a fabulous class thats fun and gives you a workout all at the same time!
4. Movie Room: I know that this is a term most people who attend the Maryland Farms YMCA will know. This YMCA has a movie room where you can go on a machine or lift weights in a dark, cold room while working out.
5. Spiritual Vitamins: These are little slips of paper with bible quotes on them when you enter or exit the YMCA that are free for anyone to take.
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