si fueris Rōmae, Rōmānō vīvitō mōre; si fueris alibī, vīvitō sicut ibi

After playing the 5 trick card game, we learned that most of us like to expect others to do what we want them to do. And that doesn't help in this case, because if we don't adapt, we don't win.

Also talking about Annete Sorensen's story, I have learned that we can't be ethnocentric when viewing others' values. Annete Sorensen didn't mean to harm her baby, she just did what she was accustomed to do. It's just important to keep in mind the saying:

"If you are in Rome, live in the Roman way; if you are elsewhere, live as they do there"

Every culture values different objects. Taking a look at two pictures: An American high school class and a Chinese high school class. In the U.S. students are not used to seeing uniforms. However, in China wearing one's uniform is very important.

In the U.S. we value freedom of choice, it seems to be the only way for one to truly express themselves. The idea of "style" to many Americans is something personal and should not be controlled. I like it, and I want it that way.

 On the other hand Chinese students are forced to wear uniforms, because officials believe that dressing up can cause students to start comparing with each other. When everybody is wearing the same, they have nothing else but grades to be competitive about. Chinese value education. Eventhough it might not be the most efficient way to improve education, it is certainly believed to be helpful.

Every culture has their own ideas and beliefs, so I believe that it's necessary to be thoughtful and learn to look at cultures from different perspectives.

Blog 4

Symbols are everywhere in our lives. They help us understand individual motivation, experiences, and intentions in a better way. The meanings for symbols have changed over time. In my personal experience, the gesture "V" for victory and peace is a good example.  

During the 1960's and early 1970's it became a symbolic gesture of the "anti war" hippie movement and became to mean "peace". 

However, now a day, people use this gesture in every photo. When they don't know what to do or how to pose, they make a "V". I'm not a huge picture person, and I often do this. Instead of thinking it means peace, I think it means "YAY"! 

The interpretations of this gesture has changed, and as time passes and the 1960's are less relevant to people it might be losing it's original meaning.

The social construction of reality

     To end this week, we heard the story Goodnight Ipad which is a sarcastic version of Goodnight Moon. It was funny, but, sadly, also very true. Technology has changed our lives so much, however, we've barely noticed it. The story points out the reality, and it's not pretty.

     Now a days, children have become more and more independent, family time has decreased. Everybody seems to be somewhat isolated in their own little world. It's common to see young children playing with an ipad when they're supposed to be playing with other children. At the end of the story it showed how sweet the old Goodnight Moon was.

     Somethings just come to you without your awareness, and to me, stereotypes are those things. When I see people, I automatically start to look the person from head to toe and start to judge. I know we're not supposed to judge people, however, it just comes naturally, and it takes time to change. People used to judge only for guilty and innocence. But now many judge, because it becomes a topic of discussion between people. When people don't have anything else to say about themselves, they start to talk about others. Maybe that's how stereotypes have been constructed, after multiple judgments and discussions between people, and it all spread out.

     It's really late... so, I think I'm just going to write this much. Goodnight Moon :)

The power of vulnerability

     This Thursday we watched Ted Talk that discussed the power of vulnerability. From Ms. Brown's talk, there were a few points that struck me.
    The first point would be how she pointed out that instead of always telling a person that he/she is prefect, we have to understand there is nobody who is perfect, and we should embrace the fact that we are wired for struggle. Even if we aren't perfect, we are absolutely worthy of love. This happens in everyday life; a mother telling her child: "You're perfect", a friend saying:"You're awesome. Don't listen to them". At first, I thought: Shouldn't this make someone happy?  However, I was only partially correct. Now thinking back, it makes sense that only ensuring somebody that it's okay to not be prefect, and that they will be loved unconditionally, is what really makes somebody happy. Not judging critically is what makes us open-minded and lets us learn from one another.
     At the end, Ms.Brown mentioned to put your whole heart out, don't be afraid to get hurt. Cause If you don't, you're not only closing out the emotions of shame and fear, but also joy.
     The most important point that jumped out to me was to have a sense of worthiness. Believe in yourself, accept yourself, and be grateful for what you have. To accept vulnerability is to open a new door in your life.

 

my first post :)

Hi everbody,

I'm Lauren. In case you don't know who I am, I'm the Asian girl who said: "My best friend tells me that I'm mean all the time" on the first day of class. Usually I don't talk a lot and can be considered as a shy person. However, if you get to know me well enough, you'll find out that I'm neither shy nor quiet but outgoing. Maybe you guys can get to know more about me through my blog :)