For just over a week now, I have been helping get a five year old ready in morning then taking her to Kindergarten. On the first day, she exemplified how to do what I am trying to learn through my New Year's Resolution. Even though she had never met me, she was so excited about asking me questions, sharing her toys, and telling me about her entire life. Children seem to have an innate ability to feel comfortable in new situations. I find that when I am put into new settings I feel self-conscious and unsure. I don't what causes this transition, but I know that in order to be successful at my resolution, I will need to take on this same openness that children exhibit.
Another lesson that I have learned in this last week is that looks don't matter if you don't think they matter. Even though her grandmother tried to tell her that a red shirt and purple sweatpants don't match, she went to school wearing just that because that is what she wanted to wear. Later in the week, she wanted me to put three braided pigtails in her hair. I really didn't want to do it, since the teach would wonder who could send a kid to school with their hair so crazy. I was able to convince her that three braids would not look very good. The next day she asked again, and I started trying to persuade her to let me do two pigtails like the day before. Then she said to me, "Can you just put three pigtails, even if it looks bad". That statement hit me. Why am I trying to convince this young girl that she needs to care about what others think about how she looks? Society already shouts this message about the importance of appearance, which is directed especially at women, loud and clear. I am a firm believer that confidence outshines any piece of clothing, jewelry, or hairstyle. So in order to nurture her current mindset with the hope that it continues into later years, I sent her to school with three braided pigtails.
I have learned so much in just over a week, and I think that I will be so many more lessons in the upcoming weeks and months. While meeting new people for my resolution, I thought that they would impart wisdom about life. Who knew that one of these people would be 5 years old? It just goes to show that wisdom is not determined by age.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Week 1: Let's Get Physical
The theme song for this week's blog is brought to you by Sue Sylvester and Olivia Newton-John. I have always enjoyed playing sports and have met some amazing people along the way. This past semester, I did not work out very much and I didn't have the formal structure of being on an athletic team to fall back on. By not joining a team or at least working out, I overlooked a great opportunity to meet new people who share a similar interest. In order to rectify the missed connections (and work off all of those Christmas cookies that I devoured over break), I spent this past week getting physical.
For almost a month now, I have been looking forward to playing volleyball in both a women and coed league through Ames Park and Recreation. This wait is finally over, since we played our first games of the season. I am not sure what I was expecting, but after going 1-3 over the week (our one win was due to a forfeit), this league looks like it will be more of an opportunity to meet new people than playing intense volleyball. Hopefully, we just had some first week jitters and start improving next week.
In addition to joining the volleyball leagues, I have also been utilizing the recreation facilities and fitness classes at Iowa State, which are free for students to use. While shooting hoops at Iowa State, I have bumped into a few opportunities to meet some fellow cyclones. One of the guys from the track team came up to me to ask if I was on the basketball team after his workout. After laughing off his suggestion (I don't think he had ever seen a women's basketball game), we got to talking. It turns out he is from Kenya (Sarah, he didn't know who you were which surprised me since you know everyone), so we discussed his experience in the US. I might just have to go to some track meets, since I know someone on the team. Another time when I was shooting hoops, I saw some girls throwing a Frisbee around. I went up to them to see if they were on the ultimate frisbee team, and it turns out they were actually the captains of the team. They were very welcoming, but I am not sure if I can fully commit to the team based on time that is required. There may be an opportunity to play on a B team, which would mean less time and fewer tournaments, if enough girls are interested. Later in the week, I went to a zumba class where I got a great workout dancing to some fun songs and meet Yang from Beijing. It was also her first time, so we were very lost. Hopefully, next week there will be fewer people so that we might be able to see the instructor.
As a final note, I applied for a job as a site supervisor for 3-6th grade basketball games. By participating in sports, I have learned many invaluable skills that I use every day. I was given the opportunity to participate in sports and I wanted to help extend the same opportunity to youth in Ames. Additionally, I thought it would be a great way to earn a little extra money. Last week I received a call about coaching instead. I was a little nervous about coaching, since I did not have any experience. During the interview for the job, it was mentioned that there currently were not enough kids signed up, so they were unsure whether there would be a position or not. Unfortunately, I did not get the job, but they encouraged me to apply for future positions. On the student job board, I saw that the youth softball association in Ames was looking for coaches, so I am thinking about applying.
For almost a month now, I have been looking forward to playing volleyball in both a women and coed league through Ames Park and Recreation. This wait is finally over, since we played our first games of the season. I am not sure what I was expecting, but after going 1-3 over the week (our one win was due to a forfeit), this league looks like it will be more of an opportunity to meet new people than playing intense volleyball. Hopefully, we just had some first week jitters and start improving next week.
In addition to joining the volleyball leagues, I have also been utilizing the recreation facilities and fitness classes at Iowa State, which are free for students to use. While shooting hoops at Iowa State, I have bumped into a few opportunities to meet some fellow cyclones. One of the guys from the track team came up to me to ask if I was on the basketball team after his workout. After laughing off his suggestion (I don't think he had ever seen a women's basketball game), we got to talking. It turns out he is from Kenya (Sarah, he didn't know who you were which surprised me since you know everyone), so we discussed his experience in the US. I might just have to go to some track meets, since I know someone on the team. Another time when I was shooting hoops, I saw some girls throwing a Frisbee around. I went up to them to see if they were on the ultimate frisbee team, and it turns out they were actually the captains of the team. They were very welcoming, but I am not sure if I can fully commit to the team based on time that is required. There may be an opportunity to play on a B team, which would mean less time and fewer tournaments, if enough girls are interested. Later in the week, I went to a zumba class where I got a great workout dancing to some fun songs and meet Yang from Beijing. It was also her first time, so we were very lost. Hopefully, next week there will be fewer people so that we might be able to see the instructor.
As a final note, I applied for a job as a site supervisor for 3-6th grade basketball games. By participating in sports, I have learned many invaluable skills that I use every day. I was given the opportunity to participate in sports and I wanted to help extend the same opportunity to youth in Ames. Additionally, I thought it would be a great way to earn a little extra money. Last week I received a call about coaching instead. I was a little nervous about coaching, since I did not have any experience. During the interview for the job, it was mentioned that there currently were not enough kids signed up, so they were unsure whether there would be a position or not. Unfortunately, I did not get the job, but they encouraged me to apply for future positions. On the student job board, I saw that the youth softball association in Ames was looking for coaches, so I am thinking about applying.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Motivation
This blog is meant to be a place to reflect on the adventures I am about to embark on in 2011 motivated by my New Years Resolution. This year I will attempt to do something or meet someone new every week. The idea for this resolution was sparked by my own advice. While discussing my college experience with perspective students, I always remarked that college is what you make of it and it is up to you to get involved in activities and make new friends. After a less than exciting semester at Iowa State, I realized that there was no one else to blame except for myself. No one else was going to make friends for me or sign me up for extracurricular activites. So if I want to make more of my time in Iowa, I will just have to break out of this shell of fear and solitude. If all goes as planned, I will have 52 posts to share with you about the people I will meet and the places I will go in the journey to accomplish my New Years Resolution. (For those that know me, this is going to be a challenge. Check out my facebook, I still have the profile picture from high school.)
The title of my blog is Oh The Places Ali Will Go, which is a play on the title of the children's book Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss. In the story, the protagonist leaves town and begins traveling around. One of the places that he encounters in called the "Waiting Place", where everyone is waiting around for something to happen. (This is where I currently am and hoping to leave.) The character does not stay here, but instead continues on spurred by the places and things yet to be discovered. The book concludes open ended, and it is from here that I begin my own adventures. Will I succeed? Yes, I will indeed.
In order to get the most out of this year, I am relying on the help of you, the reader. Please comment on the experiences that I have posted or suggest ideas for things to try or places to meet new people. (I am still not sure about the Valentine's Day speed dating event, especially after the LARPER incident. It will take a lot of convincing for me to go through that again.)
The title of my blog is Oh The Places Ali Will Go, which is a play on the title of the children's book Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss. In the story, the protagonist leaves town and begins traveling around. One of the places that he encounters in called the "Waiting Place", where everyone is waiting around for something to happen. (This is where I currently am and hoping to leave.) The character does not stay here, but instead continues on spurred by the places and things yet to be discovered. The book concludes open ended, and it is from here that I begin my own adventures. Will I succeed? Yes, I will indeed.
In order to get the most out of this year, I am relying on the help of you, the reader. Please comment on the experiences that I have posted or suggest ideas for things to try or places to meet new people. (I am still not sure about the Valentine's Day speed dating event, especially after the LARPER incident. It will take a lot of convincing for me to go through that again.)
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