As always, my weeks are starting to go by pretty smoothly. I am handling the consultations with competence, and maybe even proficiency? I was starting to reflect on sessions after they happened, usually in other classes, because I get super bored. And I'd like to say that I'm definitely developing my own style. I was very excited to hear about six whole positions in the Fellyn program this next semester. I hope I get one?!
I found the revision of the evaluation at times, yes, frustrating, as that is where my quote for today came from. She was getting so upset. It was funny but also frustrating at the same time cuz I was enjoying myself. I also was wondering if we are getting a little
too out of hand? I feel like after a while today you stopped really laughing with us and were kind of just getting frustrated. I do admit that it seems Michael and Val get really out of hand, even more then Rob and Justin who were, dare say I? Subdued? The antics of this class keeps me super interested and intrigued. I'm usually the loudest one in my most of my smaller classes, but this one has got me beat. I like to sit back a whole lot more in this one then any of the others and just watch it escalate.
I made a list of the projections I believe my fellow newbs make about their certain skills, knowledge and personality I don't know most of them THAT well, since I work with generally the same four people, but I've come in at different times to try and get a better feel and I try to sit in different places to mix it up. But I'm startin to really like sitting next o Aundria and April.
So, my list:
Justin: dreamy, whimsical, more fiction-esque, details and building (as in plot and characters)
Rob: Very professional, sharp, to the point, but always politically and politely correct.
Michael: Eclectic, always thinking of the negation, qualifier or Devil's advocate position. He seems to always be two steps ahead somehow, when I'm barely keeping up. Its kind of impressive, but he is very, colloquial? in his opinions.
Valerie: I'll be upfront, she looks and acts and laughs like my real mother of whom I'm not a large fan so I have this unfair grudge toward her for reminding me of the absolute last person I want to ever think of... BUT I think she's a lot more light hearted and humorous, though immature at times and very predictably so, but I think she uses it to cover up something else. Or just to have fun... I haven't figured her out at all yet... I wish she didn't remind me of my mom cuz I'd like her a lot more!
Lila: I love Lila. I just like that she's there and all thats she's gone through. She's "EXPERIENCE" in my mind. I used to be uncomfortable around her cuz she's like... a grandparent figure, but I'm sure she's more understanding then I give her credit for. She's one of the few I wish I got to spend ANY time with. She also reminds me of traditional times, simpler times, times when things were probably a lot different and I love that she's still going with it.
Heather: Since the second week GRAMMAR is all I can think of when I think of Heather. She's rules, and precision.
April: Fastly becoming a favorite, April is sweet, and nice. The girl next door, and she gives a little too much and cares a little too much, and I think thats the biggest thing we have in common. Today, I made fun of her for being so overtly feminine and se took it in stride. :D She's easy going and modest, and honest. And always engaged and caring. She never ceases to amaze me with how much effort she puts forth in just everyday activities.
Aundrea: OH AUNDREA. The inspiration of my title this week, the words I could not find to fit her other then, colorful. She's a good time.
Sara: I think of her as the Alt side of the center. I'm always expecting something unexpected from her. I really dig that.
Rachel: Contradictory, difficult and analytic. She's got a quick mind and wit but she's still super nice and personable, thats a hard task.
Ben: I think Ben is super funny, but I don't think he thinks he is. He's really serious, and reserved it seems, but then he wears tie dye wolf shirts. I think of him as the WoW strategist big time critical thinker.
Ryan: Is the closest thing to grey area I've ever seen, he has convictions but I never feel a zeal of passion or commitment from him, unless its about music. I do enjoy talking to him about Edu things tho. I also admire his ability to always be nice, and have this really awesomely friendly neutral tone that I know I'll never have.
Shawn: Easy enough, Pharoah. He's fun to talk to as well. Has lots of good stories and when he does speak up in class it's usually worth listening to.
(Not that anyone else isn't though.)
I figured I'd share my observations with you, and then also ask where you think I fall into this. And this ties in with the readings this week (look at these connections!) with the many "hats" we wear. I wrote a discussion Q on this, but I wanted to get your feedback as I have a hard time trying to categorize myself, and I'm me. I wonder if its hard for others? If I might be coming off some way I may not want to? I'm just mainly curious, I know I'm super forward usually and sometime a bit lacking in tact, but I'm all good intentions, I swears.
I made an equation today as well!
MINIMALIST + ALTERNATIVES (DIRECTIVE) = Good mix.
Its a generality I'm seeing in the patterns of my sessions. I've been trying to think back on my last session while I'm prepping or starting up my next so that I know what worked last time and how much I'll bank of that working this time or if I should use a different approach. I'll also switch mine a few times in one session to try and get the best results out of the student, but I also do as I mentioned in class, and I think I give a little too much too fast. I'm a bit too eager, and I have a hard time justifying making myself not be so, when all I want to do is do so! But after this weeks readings, it put me in a little bit more perspective, and I think I can maybe gauge a bit better about when to be super directive and uhm... controlling... and when to just lay off. I do enjoy the control...
Pretty much if there is a "norm" I'll find a way to break it and still get adequate if not preferable results from said actions. Thats just how I roll.
I have found a new mantra that I feel will be my guiding light for the next week or so, or whatever. REFLECTION REFLECTION REFLECTION. I thought the whole art analogy to sessions was almost dead on, but if taken to a mini-scale. I feel that if I made sure to set aside anywhere for a few to five (or more) minutes for the student to sit and talk about the paper as a whole, in sections and in connections, they might benefit. Even if its just asking, does your intro and conclusion essentially do the same but reversed thing? Sum up? Or do you feel that you lead the reader on a well guided journey? Does your destination, if you wish to call it that, get them where you wanted them? Do you like your writing? Did you learn
anything?I think that might help, and I'm curious to see what I get from students. I have one final note, and it should be quick, then a lol cats?!?!KFJDK!? (Its kinda late now that I finally starting writing this after thinking about writing it for two hours...)
Do the veterans have any kind of discussions like we do at all? I feel like we make a lot of Center-centered decisions without their input, but then I remember that you are the director and you must be getting theirs somehow... this was an issue for me mostly with the "community" issue. I don't know, I just wanted to see how that went about. I'm always curious about them. And I'm pretty sure I work with some of the quietest veterans (Ian, and Phil) but also some of the loudest (Rick).
Alright, I'm excited to see what you say to this and for next monday and just everything in general, as usual. ALSO SUPER STOKED TO FINALLY WRITE A REAL PAPER FOR A CLASS I LIKE AND WANT TO WRITE FOR. :D
LOLcatz time.
This isn't exactly a cat, but its still funny.
