Blog Summary #2

Over the past few weeks I truly believe that I have become more leisure educated, I have learned new ways to experience leisure and I also learned how to distinguish leisure from recreation. A lot of Cultural values play a big part in what I consider to be leisure, we all come from different place so what is leisure to me might not be leisure to someone else. Leisure as defined in class is a state of mind, freely chosen that results in intrinsic feelings of happiness, satisfaction, pleasure, and/or enjoyment. To me it is very important to experience an intrinsic feeling of satisfaction when doing an activity, chore, or just relaxing. I have learned the leisure comes in many different shapes, forms and intensity levels.

Culture plays a major part on why I consider certain activities to be leisure such as braiding hair. I think of the talents others have like singing, dancing, drawing, being athletic do they portray these talents because they were born with them or because they were force to become the best at this activity. My talent is braiding hair, it is definitely a talent that just goes from generation to generation. It is rare to see a young African American/Canadian child without there hair in braids, it almost like a world wide rule that young African American/Canadian girls get there hair braided. Braids are a sense of purity in the young culture. In away it restricted me from my independence, but it provide me with a talent that I cherish. Through my blog pictures indicate I have fun creating different designs in other people hair. The design also express the mood I am in, it could be anywhere from annoyed to feeling very up beat. When I’m up beat I will be up to doing a creative design, if I am annoyed I am only willing to give a basic design.

I have learn to appreciate different types of leisure with various people. My volunteer work with C.A.R.E has taught me a lot about myself and others it is here where I feel I learn the value of leisure. Working with people who have disabilities has should be that know matter the situation, skill level or disadvantage someone faces there is away to get through it. Having a positive attitude to everyone and everything can make life so much easier. Also looking at people abilities rather their disabilities I have learn can make it a better experience for everyone.

Communication played a major part in all my blogs it was through verbal communication was able to get instruction and voice my opinions. While bowling we had to assist the students with the ramp, so we would have to ask were they wanted us to move it. Some of the lady’s and gentlemen at the C.A.R.E are not able to communicate verbally, therefore nonverbal communication was used to tell us were they wanted the ramp. Through communication I was able to tell that everyone including myself was having a good time; so people had smiles, some were laugh, giving high fives, and other just said”this fun.” I have learned that it is important to “interact socially during leisure Datillo 2008” so we can make new friends as I do when I braid hair. Sometimes people who I do not know ask me to braid their hair. If I were to just braid there hair and not socialize with them we would not be able to build a relationship and “develop a friendship Datillo 2008.”

Bowling With C.A.R.E

So a few weekends ago I went bowling with the C.A.R.E group and I have to say I definitely learned a lot. All of the students at the C.A.R.E centre have various disabilities. When I first heard we were going bowling I was thinking that it would not be possible for some of the students their. Well once again I was wrong, the only thing that the students could not do was roll the ball with the same movements and techniques I used, but that did not stop any of them from bowling. Instead the bowling alley provided ramps that the small bowling could go down so with some assistants everyone was able to bowl. It amazed me how much different techniques that were used, some use there elbow to knock the ball of the ramp, others use their foot, and the rest used their hands. Volunteering at the C.A.R.E centre has just opened my eyes to many things I have taking for granted. the C.A.R.E centre has taught me with drive and determination I can do whatever I want.

ThanksGiving

This was the first thanks giving that I spent away from home and to tell you the truth I enjoyed it. One of my closest friend friend from Toronto came down to spend the weekend with me. When in Toronto we usually go all out for thanksgiving we rent a hall invite all are family a cook tons of food at times it can be overwhelming. This Year I was able to spend thanks giving in my little apartment with my friend and roommate. We all contributed in making a simple meal, consisting of Chicken and Shrimp kabobs, macroni pie, and apple pie with ice cream for dessert, we ate while we watch the worst movie of all times the Happening. Even though the movie sucked are food was delicious we able to share hilarious stories with each other and just have fun. unlike when I am home we are so focus on getting everything ready and prepared we don't have time to enjoy are selves.

Parents Just Don't Understand

Is there an age when you begin to experience leisure or are we born with leisure. Or Definition of Leisure is a state of mind, freely chosen that results in intrinsic feelings of happiness, satisfaction, pleasure, and/or enjoyment. When i look at my little cousin and sister I wish I could be them free from obligation, free from making choices, free to do what ever they want... Well that is what I thought, but in actuality they probably have the hardest time experiencing Leisure because parents just don't understand. Parent's don't understand that they don;t want to go to bed at 9:30pm, they don't understand that they don;t want to be in on the hockey, basketball or soccer team, they don; understand that they don;t like to watch Tree House they want to watch YTV, they just don't understand that children can be self determined if given the chance.

Is braiding hair serious

I stared braiding hair at thirteen years old, in my family and basically in my culture young girls have there hair braided. This is because when our hair is out it gets very dry and it is hard to manage or even comb through. So as an alternative we briaded are hair and these braid stay in for a week or two. I remember when I use to dread getting my hair braided it was an all day event. First I had to take out the old braid, wash my hair (which is done every week or two weeks,) blow dry my hair than get my hair re braid it was such along process. However the end results was a work of art and that's why I wanted to learn to braid. I basically taught myself how to braid on barbie dolls, it started out rough but with time I was able to express my creative side in the heads of others. Sometimes it could be financially rewarding as well. There is some much different types of braiding styles, there is single braids, cornrows, twists, plaits, bubble and the list goes on. Before I would say that braiding was serious leisure to me, I always wanted to braid, I never wanted a strand of hair out of place and i took braing very seriously i wanted it to be my career. However as I grown and mature braiding hair is definitely not going to be my career but I will never stop doing it and enjoying myself. So now I will still say that it is serious leisure to me.

Volunteer at C.A.R.E

For my AHSC 383 class I had to voluteer at a centre that helped people woth disabilities, so I chose to go to the C.A.R.E centre. Being my first time helping people with disabilities I was very apprehensive at first. Their were many things running through my mind before I started my voluteer job, such as am I going to have enough time in my days to help out efficently, Are the students going to like me, will I unintentionally offend anybody and most importantly am I equipped for this job mentalll and phyically. On my first day at the C.A.R.E centre I realize I had put way to much pressure on myself. Working at the C.A.R.E centre is more than just going there to pass my class. It is a place where I spend time with people who I appreciate spending my time with, it is not just another schedule event in my day, it is a time I look forward to. At the C.A.R.E centre I learned a lot from the students that attend, such as I have to look beyond their disabilites and focus on their capabilites. When I first got to the C.A.R.E centre I would ask the instructure how do I this and that for the students, and he would reply ask the student. I was automatically sterotyping the student because of their physical disabilities unintentionally. However I have learned form my mistakes, and my questions are always directed to the student I am interacting with so we both are comfortable. After completing my AHSC 383 class I will difffent continue to volunteer at the C.A.R.E centre i have made so much more friends it would be ridiculous to not go make. This just goes to show that work can be considered leisure.