Entry #11- Final Reflection Blog

Looking back, on my blogging experience, I can not help, but wonder where the last four months have gone. In the beginning of this adventure, I was excited to blog and was skeptical at the same time. How was I supposed to be successful at blogging? What about topics? OH NO, OH NO, OH NO..is what went through my mind.

But, I took a deep breath and dove in and learned how to open up to my classmates and the world about issues that had me mesmerized and events that were going on in my life. It gave me an outlet that allowed me to use as a relaxer and blogging soon changed from "what I had to do" to "what I want to do". 

I could not wait to share with my husband and my Mechistas about my latest blog and get their opinions about my writing or videos/pictures I had chosen. I definitely took this experience seriously and even given great thought to continuing my blog throughout the next few years. I also have thought about using this method when I finally have my own class. There are so many teacher-based sites that teachers and elementary students can interact and create blogs without violating FERPA.

While blogging, I learned more about me as a writer, how easy it was to attract an audience, and how experiences or ideas can come alive with choice words and graphics. I also learned more about myself personally. It allowed me to reflect not only what I was blogging about, but other events that were impacting my life.

I believe blogging was a very useful assignment for this class because it allowed us to be more creative and get away from the basic essay. It was a great way to express ourselves and get to know each other better.

Thank you so much for opening me up to the world of blogs! 

Entry #10- Passing on The Torch...

As we head down the last weeks of school, I find myself in a bittersweet slump of emotions. I have come to the realization that this Thursday is my last M.E.Ch.A. meeting as President and I will be handing over my role to a fellow Mechista that will lead our group in the upcoming 2014-2015 school year. I feel as if  my passion is being taken away from me, my heart weakens and I am lost. For the past two years, I have devoted great time into M.E.Ch.A. and now I wonder, What am I going to do with my time now?

Looking back on this past year, my group and I have taken our chapter to the next level. We have reached district recognition and are the DAC Award of Excellence recipients of 2014. I am extremely proud of our accomplishments and hope you all continue to grow throughout this next year.

Being a part of M.E.Ch.A. has made me a better person, a better leader, and a better student. It has taken me many places such as Denver, Colorado, Albuquerque, New Mexico and countless leadership retreats. It has allowed me to meet many people and be a part of something better than the average college experience. 

As I reflect on all the experiences being involved in M.E.Ch.A. has brought me, I realize I am very fortunate to have met all of you and although we will still see each other around, this still feels like goodbye. I am so proud to have been your leader and I truly believe you all are going to do great things next year!

Entry #9-Media Synthesize

In today's society it is extremely easy to be overpowered and influenced by the latest trends and fads. Media plays a huge role in this influence from advertisements to the goods they advertise.

"Killing Us Softly 3" is part of a film series that focuses on the negative side of advertisement based on the exposed sexuality and vulnerability of young girls and women. This film has changed my view on the way I view advertisements and I  no longer focus on the product, but more of the subject and how they are exposed.

I believe these types of advertisements are the cause of poor body image among our society. Women and men are being forced-fed images of the impossible and are brainwashed to think that a lady that is skeletal thin, with high cheek-bones, and long legs is beautiful and if you are anything less you are hideous.







                                                                                                                                                           









These extreme measures that portray "beauty" not only affect the way men think of women, but can have lasting effects on young girls that can cause eating-disorders, self-mutilation and heaven forbid the newest trend of adolescent plastic surgery.

We need to change our world with positive reinforcement and change the view of both women and men. Women with curves in ancient times were seen as the most beautiful and desirable. There are figurines, statues and other monuments that paid tribute to these women.

Beauty should not be based on the size of your waist, breasts, and skin color. Everyone is beautiful and we need to stop doctoring up false idols.

Entry #8- "Trapper ready!?"

As I give a nod, the competitor raises the barrel and yells, "PULL!" just then I push the button on the controller and tense up just as the explosion ignites from the shotgun. I watch two skeet birds fly through the air and burst one right after the other. I yell, "Dead Pair!" as the group congratulates competitor number 70.



It was my first time being a trapper for the Arizona Game and Fish State Competition and I was extremely nervous and excited. Although, I was not new to the Ben Avery range or competitions, I was new at being a trapper and I knew these men and women competing payed top dollar to be in this competition. 



Friday the first morning of the competition, as I was pulling for a competitor, one of his teammates tapped me lightly on the shoulder to gain my attention just as the shooter yelled, "Pull!" I was so distracted by the four-foot Western Diamondback slithering into my station that I lost concentration and did not push the button in time resulting in "a look that could kill" from the shooter. He began to get angry at me until he saw what caught my attention and freaked out. For what seemed like hours we all stood still not able to move and quietly discussing the laws of killing a rattler meanwhile trying to get the attention of the facility director. We finally got his attention and without hesitation grabbed the beautiful Beretta and shot the snake twice severing it's head.  
With a sigh of relief and a nervous laugh, we were all back on track and ready for the next competitor. 

Throughout the entire weekend, I was known as the snake girl and the news of my rattle snake reached all 150 competitors. By the end of the weekend, I learned that my station was the only one visited by a slithering creature.