Presentations and the Work and Recreation Chapter

This past week we had some very powerful performances/presentations. Even though we don’t really get to be in our groups any more I like that several of the presentations have included making us get into groups to discuss things or create things.

 I wasn’t aware of what Julia’s presentation was going to be about ahead of time so seeing her performances caught me very much off guard. I never knew that aspect of her previously so it was really interesting to see her perform her poetry. It also struck a very personal chord with me as I shared in class. I think the intensity in her performances is what made me remember my experience with such intense emotion (because as my group knows I’m usually able to share my experiences without become so overwrought with emotion). I think Julia’s ability to evoke such powerful emotions with her performances is amazing.

I’ve never seen a presentation done in presi, like Susanne’s. I don’t have much experience with presi, but I loved how her slides went in and out of the larger background picture of flowers that definitely helped to keep my attention as I’m usually having to fight my internal thoughts to pay attention to things. So her whole presentation, including the actual slide show, help me be mindful about learning about mindfulness.

Amanda’s presentation was very powerful just in terms of hearing what she went through in her process of coming out. You always hear about the difficulties that are associated with someone’s coming out but until you hear someone’s personal account in the manner that she shared hers it’s very hard to imagine families reacting that way. I had a friend in college that was bisexual and his family was so amazing in accepting him for who he was and his uncertainty about his sexual preferences. He had a totally different experience from Amanda and was able to flourish and embrace his differences instead of having to deny them and forge his own path in secret like Amanda did. Although from hearing her story, I have to say that her sister probably acted out towards Amanda in school to try to separate herself from the stigma that Amanda was receiving and avoiding the students torturing her as they were doing to Amanda and her locker.

Last our chapter in Corey and Corey was on work and recreation. As my group already knows I’m currently very dissatisfied with my job. My supervisor has targeted me and is going out of her way to criticize and scrutinize everything that I’m doing. Unfortunately, even though no one else sees what she sees, the union seems to be afraid of her and therefore hasn’t provided me with any real help in the matter. I believe that all of her actions are targeting me due to a previous issue where she also acted inappropriately and threatened me if I didn’t do what she was telling me to do, which of course I reported her for and while I never heard anything more about the situation it’s the only logical explanation for the sudden change in the way she’s treating me. At any rate, I’m looking to leave my current job at the end of this year and find a new job to hold me over until I finish my degree, which as a single mother is very stressful, but not nearly as stressful and draining as what I’m experiencing with my supervisor currently.

References:

Corey, G. & Corey, M. S. (2010).Work and Recreation. In Brooks/Cole (9^th edition), I Never Knew I Had a Choice (280-312). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.