Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Constructivism

For those of you who don't know, I'm getting my Associates this semester which might be one of the proudest moments of my life since I've been screwing around for the past 6 years. I was intending to get my Associates in Broadcasting specifically, but after talking to my counselor, I found that I could graduate this semester with General Studies. If I had continued with the Communicate Degree, it would have taken me two more semesters and it wouldn't transfer anymore of my Communication classes up to the U. To make a long story short, I figured that I would take a break from Communication classes this semester.
I had to take a Humanities class this semester so I wanted to take Art History. After finding out that the books for the class would total $500.00. I withdrew and signed up for Elements of Human Communication thinking it would be an easy class. I was right in the fact that it would be easy, but my teacher is interesting to say the least.
My teacher is very calm, very loving, very open, very Friearian, he beleives that rules are made out of the fear that no one is going to follow. I am someone who loves rules. I love boundries and making boundries and beleive that people need boundries in order to survive the human race.
Since my teacher is so loving, he assigned us group projects to present different Communication theories. My first group presented today on the subject of Constructivism.
Constructivism is basically the idea that some people, based on their experiences in their life, are able to identify character traits in people and to be able to tailor messages to people based on how they are able to read them.
I know that I exemplify this theory. I know that I am a cognitively complex person. I manipulate people based on the fact that I know how to read them and to tailor messages the best way to get the results that I want.
Anyway, based on this theory, I realized that my teacher and I were opposites based on the way that we were raised. I was raised with the experiences that have taught me that manipulating people and creating rules are the only way to get the results that you want. My teacher has had experiences that taught him that sometimes rules aren't the best way. I still think he is wrong, but I respect that he has so much faith in people.
I miss the days when I could not be suspicious of everyone who talks to me. I used to be surprised when I would find out if a guy has a crush on me, but now I can pinpoint exactly what behaviors a man exhibits when he is into me. I used to trust all girls that I would be friends with, but now I wait for them to start talking about me behind my back or to betray me.
Experiences have taught me to be suspicious and jaded. I don't let people have the chance to get close to me anymore. I pretend to open up about things that are important to me, when in reality, I find them superficial.
I construct the relationships in my life to be how I want them to be.
Maybe it's time for me to stop being so angry and jaded with the world and how I feel about people. I wish I knew how to be who I once was, but like it says in the Constructivist Theory, you can never go back and trade your views.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

I threw my FIRST Baby Shower!

Hopefully not my last too. It was so fun planning and carrying it out, but first, a little background...

Can you hold this?
Three and half years ago, I transferred Targets when I was promoted as one of the Team Leaders in the clothing area (they had three back then). I was terrified of everyone and I knew that not many people trusted me because my boss, who got me the job was not a very nice person and everyone assumed she and I were extremely close. One of the other team leaders was named Rachelle and I could tell how suspicious she was of me so we didn't really interact much. Anyway, to make a long story short, my boss was transferred and people actually started talking to me and trying to get to know me.
Rachelle and I started working together more since her school schedule forced her to work certain days and started to become friends. As time went on, I grew to absolutely love this girl.

She is so kind to everyone and tries to see the positive side of things. Even when she was mad, she would just make me laugh because she was so out of her normal character that it would surprise me. She always was so silly and happy that I never really was mad when I would work with her.

Screaming at the Backstreet Boys Concert 2010
She used to always joke about how bad of a mom she would be and say silly things about putting NyQuil in her babies bottles, or what-not. Then.... she got knocked up last summer. Her and her husband are going to be great parents because they have the caring gene and will always be incredible to their children.
Rachelle is due on April 6th which is quite a significant date, the LDS church had their first meeting this day and my sister, Jocelyn, and Jesus (No relation... haha) were born this day. I am so excited for her! Her compassion and humor are just perfect to raise the fruit of her loins.

I decided to throw her a baby shower for her with all of her Target friends even though she is no longer at our store.
I felt left out.
I had to enlist the help of my friend, Krissy because I was not quite sure about what to do. I guess I should say that Krissy threw it because she knew everything and planned most of it.
It was an open house at another coworkers apartment (which is gorgeous, Chelsea) and Krissy made the best kool-aid, cake, and rice krispies. I contributed sandwiches, fruit, and.... entertainment?
I wish I had taken a picture of the super cute banner that Krissy had made. It kept falling but was adorable anyway.
Everyone who had kids brought them and I had so much fun playing with them and holding them. I hate being baby hungry. I just need to borrow someone's for like three days then I'm sure I will be good. Anyway, I think that Rachelle enjoyed it and I know that I did!
I freaking love Rachelle and know that she is going to be an awesome mom.