Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Monday, 12 December 2011
Final Blog?
The past four months have been quite a ride, it has been full of pain, emotion, and joy, three things that make life what it is.
There has been quite a bit of information in this course this semester, I have learned so much though not learned enough. I plan on forwarding my learning about culture and diversity with my placement at Quinte Mohawk for next semester, placement is a good start to keep learning, there is so much I don't know, there is so much that I want to know and not just about the Qunite Mohawk school. I'd like to spend time living in Mexico, or some place like it, I believe I could do very good over there. I will learn so much over the next 4 months in placement I can't wait to begin my journey to seeing what life is really about.
I have learned so much over the past 4 months, I have learned to accept everyone for who they are and that people are the same we just do things differently than others. This class was worth every minute I was there. I apologize for not being 100% in class, I have been waiting for 2.5 years for a job at BTG and I really shouldn't have taken it until the semester was over, I should have waited. On the plus side the semester ended today for us, and I have finally achieved my dream of being a CYW, Now I know what it feels like to win a Stanley Cup, I just won one.
I am going to try and continue my blog for as long as I'm in the CYW field, I intend to be here for a long time, I will keep you posted when I post a new blog. Thank you Sarah for your understanding what I needed to do and thank you for teaching me all about different cultures around the world. I will NEVER forget what I learned in your class, it was a good one, don't change anything about it, people need to know this stuff.
I would like to send a quick shout out to Section A to say thank you for having me and being so warm and welcoming, it was defiantly nice. Thank You
Till Next time......Live long and prosper...
There has been quite a bit of information in this course this semester, I have learned so much though not learned enough. I plan on forwarding my learning about culture and diversity with my placement at Quinte Mohawk for next semester, placement is a good start to keep learning, there is so much I don't know, there is so much that I want to know and not just about the Qunite Mohawk school. I'd like to spend time living in Mexico, or some place like it, I believe I could do very good over there. I will learn so much over the next 4 months in placement I can't wait to begin my journey to seeing what life is really about.
I have learned so much over the past 4 months, I have learned to accept everyone for who they are and that people are the same we just do things differently than others. This class was worth every minute I was there. I apologize for not being 100% in class, I have been waiting for 2.5 years for a job at BTG and I really shouldn't have taken it until the semester was over, I should have waited. On the plus side the semester ended today for us, and I have finally achieved my dream of being a CYW, Now I know what it feels like to win a Stanley Cup, I just won one.
I am going to try and continue my blog for as long as I'm in the CYW field, I intend to be here for a long time, I will keep you posted when I post a new blog. Thank you Sarah for your understanding what I needed to do and thank you for teaching me all about different cultures around the world. I will NEVER forget what I learned in your class, it was a good one, don't change anything about it, people need to know this stuff.
I would like to send a quick shout out to Section A to say thank you for having me and being so warm and welcoming, it was defiantly nice. Thank You
Till Next time......Live long and prosper...
Friday, 2 December 2011
Hispanic
This week in class we had a couple of presentations, one was on the Hispanic culture. There were a few more but this one is the one that interested me most.
One thing that surprised me from the Hispanic side was when they were talking about how in Mexico, you'll probably never hear a baby cry. They said this because everyone picks up the baby and gives the baby love every chance they get, being picked up so much, they don't ever feel the need to cry I guess. I thought what a cool concept. My Mom used to say that she would leave me in my crib to cry, to get me used to her not being there all the time, she said my dad would come home after working in the rail road and mess that up because she'd just get me to the point I wouldn't cry and I'd make a noise and my dad would come in and pick me up. I think its a good thing that they pick up there baby when ever they can to show love, show the baby love, its not like its going to hurt anyone, and lets be honest who doesn't like holding a baby, I for one love it and can't stop when my friends have baby's.
The way Hispanics greet each other is cool, I didn't know they did anything other than shake hands. It turns out that when they get comfortable enough with each other they hug, with a few pats on the back, I know that I don't do that, I think it would be uncomfortable if I went and say hugged Chris and he didn't know what I was doing, I know I'd feel uncomfortable doing that, I mean I've known him for 8 years now and I'm almost sure that I wouldn't feel comfortable with doing that to him.
Hispanic women don't shake hands at all, they pat each other on their right forearm or the shoulder, when I was Mexico I remember seeing this a lot, I didn't ever think it was weird or anything because it wasn't my place to say anything I was a visitor so I was respectful, I'm not saying that when I got back I was disrespectful, its just when you go into someone's home you abide by their rules.
I found it different that Hispanic children shake hands with adults, I don't really see this in Canada, I mean I do it myself because I believe children are people but still children but also people, they are smarter and more well behaved than most adults I know put it this way the grade six class I was in for my first placement, is more mature than "our" section B class, and I also believe treat others they way you want to be treated is something I live by.
They talked about how Hispanics show affection through touching, really the only touching I've seen is when a girl touches your arm it means she "likes" you, but I don't really see it in any other manner other than that, I think it would be better if we did, it could put us in a better mood, a handshake, hug, stroke of the arm to show that person cares I think it would definitely help boost moral with us as people.
Do what makes you happy, do it for yourself, nobody else.
Until next time................
One thing that surprised me from the Hispanic side was when they were talking about how in Mexico, you'll probably never hear a baby cry. They said this because everyone picks up the baby and gives the baby love every chance they get, being picked up so much, they don't ever feel the need to cry I guess. I thought what a cool concept. My Mom used to say that she would leave me in my crib to cry, to get me used to her not being there all the time, she said my dad would come home after working in the rail road and mess that up because she'd just get me to the point I wouldn't cry and I'd make a noise and my dad would come in and pick me up. I think its a good thing that they pick up there baby when ever they can to show love, show the baby love, its not like its going to hurt anyone, and lets be honest who doesn't like holding a baby, I for one love it and can't stop when my friends have baby's.
The way Hispanics greet each other is cool, I didn't know they did anything other than shake hands. It turns out that when they get comfortable enough with each other they hug, with a few pats on the back, I know that I don't do that, I think it would be uncomfortable if I went and say hugged Chris and he didn't know what I was doing, I know I'd feel uncomfortable doing that, I mean I've known him for 8 years now and I'm almost sure that I wouldn't feel comfortable with doing that to him.
Hispanic women don't shake hands at all, they pat each other on their right forearm or the shoulder, when I was Mexico I remember seeing this a lot, I didn't ever think it was weird or anything because it wasn't my place to say anything I was a visitor so I was respectful, I'm not saying that when I got back I was disrespectful, its just when you go into someone's home you abide by their rules.
I found it different that Hispanic children shake hands with adults, I don't really see this in Canada, I mean I do it myself because I believe children are people but still children but also people, they are smarter and more well behaved than most adults I know put it this way the grade six class I was in for my first placement, is more mature than "our" section B class, and I also believe treat others they way you want to be treated is something I live by.
They talked about how Hispanics show affection through touching, really the only touching I've seen is when a girl touches your arm it means she "likes" you, but I don't really see it in any other manner other than that, I think it would be better if we did, it could put us in a better mood, a handshake, hug, stroke of the arm to show that person cares I think it would definitely help boost moral with us as people.
Do what makes you happy, do it for yourself, nobody else.
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Poland
This week in class, I had to present on the country of Poland, actually the country of Poland in Canada. I was so nervous being up presenting like always, it has been a while since I have sweat through my shirt though, that hasn't happened in a long time. I didn't think I did that good of a job, but my friend Chris said I did wicked, he told me that he's seen me grow a lot over the years, and that it was a better job than I did in the past. That boosted my self esteem, I've known these people for 3 years now, and I have no idea why I still get nervous, when I'm not presenting, I'm fine, I can talk to the whole class if were having conversations, even when I'm at Bridging, I can present to the kids no problem, I don't get scared at all.
I was surprised about some of the information, and similarities about Poland I came across. For instance, the part about having an extra place set at the dinner table incase someone drops in, at my house we don't set an extra plate, but people are always welcomed if they show up at dinner time, I think it would be impolite to send them away, I know its "my house" but I wouldn't send them away, even if I didn't have enough food, there has to be something in the fridge that I could whip up in a few minutes. I really respect that people in Poland do this because I think its a nice gesture.
It really surprised when I found out they had nine vowels in there alphabet, this would be me being narrow minded thinking every language was like ours. It was cool learning about their language and they was they speak and pronounce words, like church in english is church but church in polish is spelt "czuma" which is pronounced like "Cuma" I wouldn't mind learning more about their language and maybe even learning to speak some polish.
I learned that concerts and theatre is very big in Poland, which is cool because, I am a music buff, I love all kinds of music, I mean on my MP3 I have Slayer and the next song is Norah Jones, followed by a wide range of greek and spanish dance music, It would be cool to take a trip just to go to concerts for a couple of weeks over there. I think it would be an excellent and great experience to go and see how they perform and what one of their concerts are like.
Till Next Time................
I was surprised about some of the information, and similarities about Poland I came across. For instance, the part about having an extra place set at the dinner table incase someone drops in, at my house we don't set an extra plate, but people are always welcomed if they show up at dinner time, I think it would be impolite to send them away, I know its "my house" but I wouldn't send them away, even if I didn't have enough food, there has to be something in the fridge that I could whip up in a few minutes. I really respect that people in Poland do this because I think its a nice gesture.
It really surprised when I found out they had nine vowels in there alphabet, this would be me being narrow minded thinking every language was like ours. It was cool learning about their language and they was they speak and pronounce words, like church in english is church but church in polish is spelt "czuma" which is pronounced like "Cuma" I wouldn't mind learning more about their language and maybe even learning to speak some polish.
I learned that concerts and theatre is very big in Poland, which is cool because, I am a music buff, I love all kinds of music, I mean on my MP3 I have Slayer and the next song is Norah Jones, followed by a wide range of greek and spanish dance music, It would be cool to take a trip just to go to concerts for a couple of weeks over there. I think it would be an excellent and great experience to go and see how they perform and what one of their concerts are like.
Till Next Time................
Saturday, 5 November 2011
LGBT
This week in class we had guest speakers from LGBT. They talked for almost the whole class filling us with information about that they do and who they are, it was one of the most informational presentations that we've ever had in class.
It surprised me that one of the stereotypes were that people still think that "Gay men" are pedophiles, I don't think that, I know that's not true, I mean does that make all lesbians pedophiles as well? there both "homo sexual" people so if it were true that would make them both pedophiles, I don't agree or believe that at all, there is nothing in genetics or your jeans that say that you are homo sexual so does that mean that just because I like women that I'm a pedophile oh but you can't ask that with out creating controversy. Hearing that pissed me off that people think that about males that are homo sexual. I know how much it hurts me being thought of as a pedophile because I work with kids and love it and people know that I love it and its my life, which in a way I can almost understand how one of them could think that, but it still really hurts to think that someone has thought that about me. I think that just because someone's gay doesn't make them a pedophile.
when I first started volunteering this little girl would sit beside me all the time and always wanted me to push her on the swings, she told me her mother asked her why was she always hanging around me and why didn't she hang around someone else, needless to say I was pulled into the office a day later to tell me that I wasn't allowed sitting beside her anymore, this hurt a little bit, but not as much as having to tell her that I couldn't sit with her anymore I had no idea how to explain that to a six year old, she never sat on my lap and there was never any physical contact accept a hug to say good by at the end of the day. I think that just because I work with kids doesn't make me one, they don't see that all I'm trying to do is help kids they don't see the passion I have for this field, and they don't see the love I have for this job, they don't look beyond the so called problem and see that I am just there to help and be there for kids when they need someone.
Growing up, I had a friend named Ryan, are parents new each other from work, we used to play and have a great time together just like any kids do when their young, we lost touch over the years I haven't seen him in ages, I do have him on facebook though. A couple of years ago my mom told me that Ryan was gay, and it was a little bit surprising to me that I had a friend that was gay, I haven't ever talked to him about it mostly because I haven't seen him since we were young, but when I think back, about what he used to look like, I think he may have been gay back then, I just didn't know what it was, I hope that doesn't make me sound ignorant. it doesn't bother me at all, I could see him tomorrow and act as if nothing has changed.
I think it would be pretty cool to go to an LGBT meeting and see how it works, see how kids are feeling see how their dealing with the issues that they have its a whole new environment that I've never been exposed to, I know that in the future I will be working with people that are homo sexual, bi-sexual, and transgendered youth, I think it would be good for me to gain some knowledge around this topic. I will always accept everyone for who they are no matter what.
Till next time........
It surprised me that one of the stereotypes were that people still think that "Gay men" are pedophiles, I don't think that, I know that's not true, I mean does that make all lesbians pedophiles as well? there both "homo sexual" people so if it were true that would make them both pedophiles, I don't agree or believe that at all, there is nothing in genetics or your jeans that say that you are homo sexual so does that mean that just because I like women that I'm a pedophile oh but you can't ask that with out creating controversy. Hearing that pissed me off that people think that about males that are homo sexual. I know how much it hurts me being thought of as a pedophile because I work with kids and love it and people know that I love it and its my life, which in a way I can almost understand how one of them could think that, but it still really hurts to think that someone has thought that about me. I think that just because someone's gay doesn't make them a pedophile.
when I first started volunteering this little girl would sit beside me all the time and always wanted me to push her on the swings, she told me her mother asked her why was she always hanging around me and why didn't she hang around someone else, needless to say I was pulled into the office a day later to tell me that I wasn't allowed sitting beside her anymore, this hurt a little bit, but not as much as having to tell her that I couldn't sit with her anymore I had no idea how to explain that to a six year old, she never sat on my lap and there was never any physical contact accept a hug to say good by at the end of the day. I think that just because I work with kids doesn't make me one, they don't see that all I'm trying to do is help kids they don't see the passion I have for this field, and they don't see the love I have for this job, they don't look beyond the so called problem and see that I am just there to help and be there for kids when they need someone.
Growing up, I had a friend named Ryan, are parents new each other from work, we used to play and have a great time together just like any kids do when their young, we lost touch over the years I haven't seen him in ages, I do have him on facebook though. A couple of years ago my mom told me that Ryan was gay, and it was a little bit surprising to me that I had a friend that was gay, I haven't ever talked to him about it mostly because I haven't seen him since we were young, but when I think back, about what he used to look like, I think he may have been gay back then, I just didn't know what it was, I hope that doesn't make me sound ignorant. it doesn't bother me at all, I could see him tomorrow and act as if nothing has changed.
I think it would be pretty cool to go to an LGBT meeting and see how it works, see how kids are feeling see how their dealing with the issues that they have its a whole new environment that I've never been exposed to, I know that in the future I will be working with people that are homo sexual, bi-sexual, and transgendered youth, I think it would be good for me to gain some knowledge around this topic. I will always accept everyone for who they are no matter what.
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Two days ago, I went on a "field trip" with my fellow classmates and two of my teachers. This trip was organized by Sarah Hopper, and for that I thank her.
It was quite the experience Friday morning walking into an environment that I hadn't really been in before, I looked at it as a "out of my comfort zone" situation. I have not been around a lot of natives or their culture, I mean sure I drive down to Tyandinaga every week to buy my cigarettes there, I don't stay long and I dont really get to see anything to do with the culture, that changed on Friday when we heard the Thanksgiving address. All of us piled into the gym to listen as it came over the P.A. it was spoken in the native language, I didn't know that they still used it, I thought they only spoke english, "oke won" I think it means welcome its on the sign where I buy smokes, after the thanks giving address we went into what they called their "multi language" room, this is where they teach the native language to their students, there are levels for beginners and more experienced students. I was standing there thinking that this is something I wouldn't mind learning, I have never been interested in learning another language before, I think it would be pretty cool to do so, and I would really like to start.
It was interesting being in the class rooms with the kids, I was in a grade 2 room along with a few other CYW'S. It was awesome getting to interact with them and see how they were together, and honestly I didn't find it much different than other class rooms in schools I have been in before. The one big difference I saw is that they used colored tables instead of desks, I'm not sure if that was every class room or not, when they came in from recess the teacher even said "yellow tables" go to the washroom if you need to go I found that really cool if it was in fact in the context that I am thinking. On a side note the called the EA in the room by Ms instead of her name, I'm not really sure if thats a cultural difference but in my experience I have always been on a first name basis with all the kids at which ever school I'm in, its probably nothing it was a question I meant to ask but it slipped my mind because I having a blast making ankle and arm bracelets.
It was a surprise to me that I was accepted right off the hop. I thought it was going to be difficult to gain rapport with the students that quickly, by the end of the class they wanted us all to stay for the next recess and to come back on Monday, I would go back if I didn't have class it was fun. Everybody was so nice, all the students and staff were respectful of us being there, I thought there would be at least some weird looks towards us just because of the fact that we are a different race and we were on their land. I expected to be very out of place on our visit to Quinte Mohawk, but instead the welcomed us with open arms and made me feel very good about myself after leaving I had a really good time.
After the day was over and we were on our way home I decided I would love it if I could do a placement at Quinte Mohawk, I think it would benefit me greatly, since I would like to go to Nunivuit and work, I think this would give me a little experience before I did go and work up north.
I had a great time Sarah, thank you for letting me join you on the trip it was something I will never forget.
Till next time,
Same Bat Time
Same Bat Channel.....................
http://quintemohawkschool.org/
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