Why are we here?

In our class discussion about the two scholarly articles it made me wonder why am I here?  I had the attitude of I just need a grade, this class doesn’t have anything to do with my career.  I just wanted a passing grade, and then I thought why is it that I am willing to just pay for something to get by?  I really need to be grateful for the situation I am in, and be grateful for the education.  There are alot of other individulas that wish the could be in my position.  The more I think about it the more my attitude starts to change.

In one of my other dance classes, we are required to read a chapter each time we go to class.  We have a class discussion on the chapter we have read.  I feel that when we have class discussions in English and we really talk about what the writer wants the reader to get from the article or chapter etc… I really helps me analize what the writer is say and fully understand what the point is.

 I have been out of school for about six years, I know some may say that this isn’t long.  I think it is.I am amazed at how much I have forgotten.  It is really hard to get back in the school mode.  I feel this class can be overwhelming at times, but the information we receive while in class has really helped me.  I can see how much things have changed since I decided to go to school.

The reason why I am here is to better myself, with knowledge and education.  I do believe that by being told something will never be as good and knowing why you are doing what you are told to do.  I just hope I can continue with my attitude and take in what is taught and be able to do the best I can with what I am given.

Add a comment September 29, 2006

Body and self-perceptions

The article I chose to do my journal topic was on The effect of Ballet dance attire on body and self-perceptions of female dancers.  This article was written by a student at Mercyhurst college in PA. 

While reading this article, It really opened up my eyes to the kinds issues dancers have to deal with.  In the article they were trying to prove that the kinds of attire dancers wear can have and effect on the dancer themselves.  I think the main question was, what kind of effect would it have on the dancers?  I have heard most of my teachers talk about the pressure and technique that comes with Ballet.  I think the teacher teaching Ballet only wants you to get the concept of the technique and what they are looking for in that particular style.  In the article is says that when the dancers were in “skin tight” dance clothes it effected the way they performed.  I found that very interesting because, on only are you trying to understand what the teacher is wanting from you, but if you are uncomfortable with the way you look in the mirror in those close it will make it harder for you to focus on what you should be doing.

I thought that their idea of having half the class wear the “skin tight” clothes and still dance in front of the mirror vs. the other half of the class who wore the so called “junk” clothes (referring to lose fitted clothes) and danced without  mirrors was a great way to see what an effect the different dance attire will have on the individual dancers. They had the dancers in the “skin tight” clothes that stared at themselves in the mirror for extended periods of time didn’t perfrom as well as the dancers in the “junk” dance attire.  They also stated that the dancers in the tights and leotards started to develop a higher self-surveillance and eating disorders.  Now by wearing tight clothes it helps the teacher see the dancers form and their alignment. There was an last question that was left open for the reader to think about is, how will tight-fitting attire effect young dancers. 

After reading this article I had many questions.  I never took and Ballet while I was growing up.  I didn’t know that this style of dance was so strict in their technique and style.  If I have a little girl I always wanted her to be a ballerina, but if that would mean her possibly developing a view on her body image I’m not so sure if that something I want.  I also makes me nervous because I really don’t like to look at my body in the mirror at all, so I hope I can over look that issue and perform to the best of my ability.

Add a comment September 22, 2006

About my major

My degree I am going to get is an Associate in Science with an emphasis in dance. The majority of my classes are dance classes.  I really like the degree I chose because, my major is not just focused on one type of dance.  I feel as though I have already learned so much about the different style of dance and what is expected in those styles. 

I think everyone has their own style of movement that they feel comfortable doing.  For some it seems so natural, and others it is hard to let go and be able to express yourself infront of others.  In one of my dance classes we had a discussion about being able to express ourselves through improvasation.  Some comments people said were: how can you get past the brick wall (little self) and let go and truely express yourself, (big self) with out thinking what others would judge about your movements.  This is something just about everyone in the class was struggleing with.  I was really surprised to hear that because, you usually think that your the only one that has that problem.  It makes it a little easier knowing that others have the same doubt.  Another question that was brought up was, how do we know what style of dance best fits our style of movement?  Since there are so many different styles of dance it’s really hard to tell where you best fit in.  In our class our teacher really tries to help you understand what is expected out of the syles of dance we are doing.  This makes it easier to understand the style of dance, and it may help us find out what type of dance we feel the most comfortable doing.

There are so many things that I want to learn and experience while being in this program.  I really wonder by the end of my degree will I beable to take in what was taught by my teachers and have a greater understanding of dance?  This is something I really want to work on, because I feel if you fully understand what is asked of you then you can succeed.  I only have a little dance experience, so when I see some of the people in my class that have alot more dance experience I get discouraged. It seems like to me they are already ahead and I am so behind.  This leads to my next question. Will I ever beable to become a great dancer even though I don’t have the experience that some of the others have?  In thinking about this question I have decided that I shouldn’t compare myself to others, instead I want to take in what I have been taught and to the best I can with what I have been given.

Add a comment September 13, 2006

Why is land and real-estate such a concern?

Due to the rapid increase of real-estate, how will the average first time home buyer be able to purchase a home?  Should it our responsibility, as the home buyer to find a solution to this problem?  Who’s responsibility is it to keep the price of homes in an affodable price range?  I think this topic may concern may individuals, mostly the young married couples.  If we want to be able to afford our own home we need to start and prepare now. 

 In recent conversation with my husband, the topic of purchasing a house was brought up.  With the increasing price of real-estate this makes me very concern.  I tend to lye awake some nights, trying to figure out things we can do to be able to purchase a house. I also wonder in two to four years after I graduate will my husband and I be able to afford a house?  Unless our economy increases I think it will be difficult to afford a house.  What kind of sacrifices would we have to forfeit to make ends meet?  If we will be able to get a home loan, would we be forced to get an interest only loan? 

Should we face the fact that land and reale-state will continue to only increase in value?  Is it possible that it could decrease?  I think it would be smart to prepare by starting a savings, and research the best possible places to invest your money as soon as possible. 

Why is issue something that effects most of society?  Could it be due to increase in the population?  Is this a topic that everyone should be concern about?  Some may think, why should I worry about this now? There will be Someone who will come up with something to make the price of homes affordable for everyone.  How can we know for sure? I’m not sure we can, that’s why I think what’s the harm in preparing now for the future?     

Add a comment September 8, 2006