So there is this movie call "Pay it Forward". For those of you out there that do not know what it is about, it is about a seventh grader who is given the assignment to come up with a project that will change the world. The whole plot of the movie is irrelevant right now, but the thing that this little boy does to change the world is help three people. Rather than have them do something for him in return for his good gesture, he tells them to "pay it forward", or in other words, do something good for three other people.
I saw something today that made me start to think about this phenomenon. One of my friends called me and asked if I wanted to go get ice cream with her. Even though I had no money I decided to go to give her some company as I have not spent time with her for a while. Long story short she had to pay with small change (It was her intention the whole time to do so). While in line I had mentioned that if I were a by stander seeing someone buy something small like ice cream and having to pay in small change, I would step in and offer to pay for it myself, thinking that I am a good person and money doesn't mean anything to me (I still recognize the importance of money and I know how to properly use the money that is in my possession).
After saying that I got to thinking how many other people out there would do something nice like that for a complete stranger. The more I thought about it, I could still only come up with a few people. I guess the point that I am trying to get at in this is I do not understand how people can be so absorbed in their own lives that they can't stop for a second and see that other around them need help, or even a kind gesture.
I know that many other people have started blogs like this, but after thinking about this today, I want to start one of those blogs. I am going to do one years worth of random acts of kindness. I have started a new blog to track my success on this. you can view it here
I feel that people just need to be reminded that it does not take much to do something nice or change someones day. I have a good feeling about this, and I truly think that I will inspire others to do good also. Part of my feeling for this may come from being an Eagle Scout. Part of it may come from the aspects of service that my fraternity preaches. Part of it might just me being me. This is going to be an interesting year, and I am very excited.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Crossroads
I feel that I am at a very large crossroad in my life. Right now I am a sophomore at Bowling Green State University double majoring in Secondary Education in Integrated Language Arts and Theatre Design and Technology.
Back when I was in high school and had to declare my major before I came to college, I decided on declaring the education major because it made more sense and I figured I would be able to get a job easier in that field, but all the while I knew I wanted to do theatre. My first year at college was alright. The adviser that I had to schedule my classes with for my fall semester kind of messed me over. Being an education major, I had to take Intro to Education, so I did, and then I filled my schedule with other classes that I needed. Something that I was not told when I scheduled my classes was that in taking Intro to Education, I would have to do field experience in schools. That's all good with me, as I want to do that, but what they didn't tell me was that there was a class I could take that would bus me to a local school and I would get my experience there. Because of that I had to find my hours elsewhere, and I found them at a place for mentally handy caped individuals. Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against mentally handy caped individuals and what I did was very rewarding, but that was not what I needed for my class. Either way I got everything done I needed to, so it worked out in the end.
Also, whenever I had asked about double majoring with the powers that be they said not to worry about it and just focus on education. So in other words when I told the school I was interested in saying here longer and giving them more money, they said no. Oh if only I had talked to one of the financial people, they would have let me.
Now to tie that anecdote into the real meaning of this post. Bowling Green claims to be a great school for future educators, and from what I have seen it is, but I didn't have any real experience with students that are in the grade levels that I will eventually be teaching until the fall of my second year. I really didn't like that it was happening at that time, as I was told before I came to Bowling Green that I would be in the classroom in my first year, but when I did get that experience, I knew that education is something I can and want to do. Also during that semester, I took a basic scenic arts class because it fit into my major and I really enjoy theatre. In that class I had to work in the theatre shop. During my time there my passion for theatre was re-lit. So I inquired with the powers that be again with my double major desire, and this time I was told that I can do that.
Eventually, in one of the final meetings I had to make it official, the staff member I met with was trying to convince me that I shouldn't do the double major again. Either way I got it done.
Now onto the real thing behind this post. I want to be an educator and I want to work in theatre. My plan once was to graduate with both degrees and find a teaching job where I am also in charge or working with the drama department. Lately my desires have been changing... Being a theatre major Bowling Green requires you to work in the theatre in your area, my area being design and technology, I work in the shop. I have been having an absolutely love it there and my time there has been the best time of my college experience.
Seeing the joy that I have been getting from theatre I am wondering if that education is right for me. I want to get more involved with the theatre and theatre events at BG. I am in a fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, but I do not think that it is fulfilling every need that I have. I will be joining more organizations so that I can feel more fulfilled.
As of late I have come up with a new "life" plan for me. Graduate with my two degrees. If I do not find a teaching job within two years (with the way things are, this is probably going to happen) apply for my theatre masters at a college.... then eventually get my PHD, and then become a professor or instructor at a college.
I just really don't know what to do right now. So far this past week I have been in the theatre until at least 2 am most nights working on the lighting for the show that is next weekend. Because of that I have been getting little sleep. Add that to my class load and the work I had already signed up for to do in the theatre, and you would normally get a very stressed and tired person. I am the complete opposite of that. This past week has been amazing and I wouldn't change any part of it for the world. I just don't know if I want to completely focus on one, or be practical and get my education degree.
I guess that's it for now. Had to get that off my chest.
Back when I was in high school and had to declare my major before I came to college, I decided on declaring the education major because it made more sense and I figured I would be able to get a job easier in that field, but all the while I knew I wanted to do theatre. My first year at college was alright. The adviser that I had to schedule my classes with for my fall semester kind of messed me over. Being an education major, I had to take Intro to Education, so I did, and then I filled my schedule with other classes that I needed. Something that I was not told when I scheduled my classes was that in taking Intro to Education, I would have to do field experience in schools. That's all good with me, as I want to do that, but what they didn't tell me was that there was a class I could take that would bus me to a local school and I would get my experience there. Because of that I had to find my hours elsewhere, and I found them at a place for mentally handy caped individuals. Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against mentally handy caped individuals and what I did was very rewarding, but that was not what I needed for my class. Either way I got everything done I needed to, so it worked out in the end.
Also, whenever I had asked about double majoring with the powers that be they said not to worry about it and just focus on education. So in other words when I told the school I was interested in saying here longer and giving them more money, they said no. Oh if only I had talked to one of the financial people, they would have let me.
Now to tie that anecdote into the real meaning of this post. Bowling Green claims to be a great school for future educators, and from what I have seen it is, but I didn't have any real experience with students that are in the grade levels that I will eventually be teaching until the fall of my second year. I really didn't like that it was happening at that time, as I was told before I came to Bowling Green that I would be in the classroom in my first year, but when I did get that experience, I knew that education is something I can and want to do. Also during that semester, I took a basic scenic arts class because it fit into my major and I really enjoy theatre. In that class I had to work in the theatre shop. During my time there my passion for theatre was re-lit. So I inquired with the powers that be again with my double major desire, and this time I was told that I can do that.
Eventually, in one of the final meetings I had to make it official, the staff member I met with was trying to convince me that I shouldn't do the double major again. Either way I got it done.
Now onto the real thing behind this post. I want to be an educator and I want to work in theatre. My plan once was to graduate with both degrees and find a teaching job where I am also in charge or working with the drama department. Lately my desires have been changing... Being a theatre major Bowling Green requires you to work in the theatre in your area, my area being design and technology, I work in the shop. I have been having an absolutely love it there and my time there has been the best time of my college experience.
Seeing the joy that I have been getting from theatre I am wondering if that education is right for me. I want to get more involved with the theatre and theatre events at BG. I am in a fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, but I do not think that it is fulfilling every need that I have. I will be joining more organizations so that I can feel more fulfilled.
As of late I have come up with a new "life" plan for me. Graduate with my two degrees. If I do not find a teaching job within two years (with the way things are, this is probably going to happen) apply for my theatre masters at a college.... then eventually get my PHD, and then become a professor or instructor at a college.
I just really don't know what to do right now. So far this past week I have been in the theatre until at least 2 am most nights working on the lighting for the show that is next weekend. Because of that I have been getting little sleep. Add that to my class load and the work I had already signed up for to do in the theatre, and you would normally get a very stressed and tired person. I am the complete opposite of that. This past week has been amazing and I wouldn't change any part of it for the world. I just don't know if I want to completely focus on one, or be practical and get my education degree.
I guess that's it for now. Had to get that off my chest.
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