A Mindful Imagination ...

This week we were assigned 2 different readings for homework. One was a chapter of the book "Outliers" by Malcom Gladwell, and the other an article by Schwalbe on Sociological Mindfulness.
In the first chapter of "Outliers" we learn that where you live and when you lived there shapes who you are. For example, as highschooler's we are raised in an environment were we go to school 9 months a year for 12 years so that we can get a good education, move on to college to study a career and then get a job, have a family, etc.
In the article by Schwalbe, we learn that sociological mindfulness is about paying more attention to the things going on around us, and to look past what something may look like and look into what it actually is or what it actually means. By paying attention and understanding others' situations, we become more willing to show compassion for others and give them the respect they deserve. For example, giving money to charities and helping others who are less fortunate (community service) can help decrease problems that grow in our society because others will look at you and build off of your actions influencing them to do the same.
Sociological mindfulness and sociological imagination go together because we are shaped by our environment, therefore if people are influenced by others who are trying to help society, then everyone will learn to be caring and "mindful".

Shhhh !

The first day of class, Sal started the class with "Let's get started" and proceeded to the back of the room and sat for about 3 minutes without talking. Was it awkward? Sort of, yes because as high school students we are all so used to talking all day everyday and when a teacher starts class just sitting there staring it becomes awkward; mostly because students are trained to start class with the teacher explaining what will be going on. When there are "awkward silences" many try to fill that by coughing, clearing their throats and/or making noises. People do this thinking it will break the silence but it just makes it more awkward because conversation doesn't start, it's still silent.
When your with your friends having a good time and all of a sudden it gets really quiet, there's always that one person who will say "Awkwarrrrrd..." which always makes it more awkward because it is only awkward if somebody makes it awkward. For example, say your going out with some new friends you don't know too well...you might feel it's going to be awkward, but if you just be yourself and let yourself have a good time it won't be awkward; but if you just sit there all quiet looking uncomfortable then it most likely will be awkward.
I have a friend who whenever were talking on the phone, etc. and it gets quiet, he always clears his throat until either one of us finds something to say. To me that just makes it more awkward because even though we stopped talking and it was quiet before, that was less awkward because neither one of us had anything to say. And once he starts clearing his throat it puts pressure on me to find something say but then what I say might be completely irrelevant and confusing and then it gets awkward all over again.

Who am I ??

HEY ! I'm Jackie :). I love to do cheerleading...GO ULTIMATE ! Unfortunately I will not be able to continue cheerleading in college, as much as I would love to, because I have a stress fracture in my lower back. Summer is my favorite season; I love the warm weather and hanging by the pool all day. I have no pets, my parents refuse to get me a dog--the only pet I've ever had was a goldfish. My two favorite colors are purple and orange. I have 2 older brothers... Mike (21) and Danny (23). I'm a lot closer with Mike than I am with Danny. I always go to him for advice and he is my biggest influence because he is a really hard worker and does whatever he needs to do to get things done while making others happy at the same time . He is an all around great person and I'm very happy to have him around. I love working with younger kids; right now I babysit for 5 children that live down the street from me and I help out coaching a junior team at the gym I cheer at. My goal after high school is to become an elementary teacher or middle school teacher!