It is really hard to sum up everything i have gained from this class. Friendships, core leadership leadership values, and so much more.I came into this class not knowing what to expect. My goals during this quarter, for this class, was to develop my understanding of leadership and develop new friendships with my classmates. Hopefully i have accomplished both. There were many things that were important to me, throughout the quarter.
Meeting new people was my first goal when entering this class. At first i was nervous, just like any first day of school. I set out to make friends and hopefully that happened. I began really looking forward to 3:30 with the hopes of seeing the people i enjoyed going to class with. I can honestly say that i enjoyed being in a class with each and every one of you. Lori, Casey and everyone of you made this class enjoyable and made me look forward to this class every Wednesday afternoon.
There are many places where i am definitely looking forward to growing in my leadership development. This Summer, i will be lucky enough be lead Orientation Groups for incoming Freshman. My goal when leading these retreats is to give the incoming Freshman the same experience i had when i first came to SCU. I was nervous, i was shy, and i was really scared of this next step in my journey to college. But, when i arrived here and met the amazing leaders and students that i would be spending the next four years with, i became relaxed and extremely happy to be a part of this family.
During these Orientation sessions i hope to allow these kids to feel comfortable in this next gigantic step in their lives. For many, this will be their first time away from home for large amounts of time. This can be a nerve racking experience, especially when you may not know many people and are trying desperately to make friends. I want to deliver the same experience that my OLs gave to me. With the help of my fellow OL, i know that i can grow in my leadership and be the best possible leader i can be.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
I Do Love Me Some Gameshows
Hunter Straine! Come on down! You have been chosen as the next contestant on Tuckman's Stages of Group Development! ....I should have thought of a catchier title.
Video 1- Coach Carter:
Norming- This video shows that as a team, the players were able to complete the push-ups and the suicides for their teammate. The team managed to come to one mutual goal, and that was to get their teammate back on the team. Some had to give up on their own mutual interests. For example the last guy to join in on the workout seemed very hesitant This player gave up his past emotions to come together with his team
Video 2- Aladdin
Performing- Aladdin, along with his team, were able to defeat evil, free Genie, and marry the princess. Talk about performing! Aladdin and his team are able to work autonomously to complete goals and work hard. They each have their own individual goals, but work hard for the mutual goal of saving their home from evil.
Video 3- Remember the Titans
Storming- The storming phase in the stages of group development revolves around addressing issues. Through addressing these issues, the team is then able to grow from them. In Remember the Titans, the team is able to grow from realizing the unqualified lack of respect they have for one another, due to the color of each person's skin. Although the change may seem hard or unpleasant, it is definitely worth it in the end.
Video 4- Finding Nemo
Adjourning- The point of the adjourning phase is to complete tasks by breaking up the team. This video is an example of this, because the fish are willing to break up the team by freeing nemo. Every fish in the fish tank wants to escape, but they instead but the needs of the young fish, nemo before their own. They break up the group to do individual tasks while also working together to make sure nemo is able to escape.
Video 5- Mean Girls
Forming- Forming is about trying to be a part of a group driven by the acceptance of others. In Mean Girls, Cady Heron is a transfer student from Africa and is experiencing High School for the first time. She is yearning for friends and a group to be a part of, in this crazy part in her life. She becomes to be a part of the popular group known as the plastics who are incredibly shallow and vein, but popular.
Video 1- Coach Carter:
Norming- This video shows that as a team, the players were able to complete the push-ups and the suicides for their teammate. The team managed to come to one mutual goal, and that was to get their teammate back on the team. Some had to give up on their own mutual interests. For example the last guy to join in on the workout seemed very hesitant This player gave up his past emotions to come together with his team
Video 2- Aladdin
Performing- Aladdin, along with his team, were able to defeat evil, free Genie, and marry the princess. Talk about performing! Aladdin and his team are able to work autonomously to complete goals and work hard. They each have their own individual goals, but work hard for the mutual goal of saving their home from evil.
Video 3- Remember the Titans
Storming- The storming phase in the stages of group development revolves around addressing issues. Through addressing these issues, the team is then able to grow from them. In Remember the Titans, the team is able to grow from realizing the unqualified lack of respect they have for one another, due to the color of each person's skin. Although the change may seem hard or unpleasant, it is definitely worth it in the end.
Video 4- Finding Nemo
Adjourning- The point of the adjourning phase is to complete tasks by breaking up the team. This video is an example of this, because the fish are willing to break up the team by freeing nemo. Every fish in the fish tank wants to escape, but they instead but the needs of the young fish, nemo before their own. They break up the group to do individual tasks while also working together to make sure nemo is able to escape.
Video 5- Mean Girls
Forming- Forming is about trying to be a part of a group driven by the acceptance of others. In Mean Girls, Cady Heron is a transfer student from Africa and is experiencing High School for the first time. She is yearning for friends and a group to be a part of, in this crazy part in her life. She becomes to be a part of the popular group known as the plastics who are incredibly shallow and vein, but popular.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Communication, What?!
Top 5 Ways of Communicating:
- Think Before You Speak. In my eighteen years of life, thinking before speaking is definitely the way of communicating that i can improve on. I tend to open my mouth before i truly thought about what i wanted to say. I like to say, "It sounded better in my brain". Thinking before we speak gives us an opportunity to really think about what we say, or if we need to say anything at all
- Honesty. Honesty is important in anything you do. If you are not honest with yourself, then how can you be honest when communicating with others. When communicating with a group or with an individual, there must be a mutual trust that must be established. Honesty establishes trust, and trust establishes open and good communication
- Listen. Communication is a two-way street. Many people tend to forget this idea, we argue, we fight and we think our argument is right. Sound familiar, don't worry, because it does for me too. To fully understand a person's point of view, and to truly have an open and free conversation, we must be open to listen and learn from whoever we are conversing with.
- Care. The best think you can do is really care about what you are having a conversation about and who you are having that conversation with. If you really care about what you are talking about, the person you are talking to will absolutely take notice. Take the conversation as an extension of yourself and truly use it as your own. In my CTW class, the most important aspect of conversing and writing that i learned was to really care about your topic. If i write a paper about a topic that i care little about, it will show through my writing I try to find a way to care about the topics i discuss. Find a way to bring the topic closer to home, personal.
- Ask Questions. Asking questions in a conversation adds a lot to the conversation as a whole. Not only will asking questions clear up confusing aspects of the conversation, but i will also show that you have taken a real interest in the conversation. Asking questions will prove to the group or individual that you have been paying attention and are interested in what they have to say. This goes back to the listening aspect.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
I Believe in Repect
http://thisibelieve.org/essay/29294/
In Vint Cerf's essay, he describes the importance of respect. He tells the story of being driven by a middle aged man and wondering how miserable his life must be, working for minimum wage. After talking to this man, Mr. Cerf realizes that the driver that he thought wwas just a minimum wage worker, was actually an ex-
CEO for a large corporation. Why did Mr. Cerf characterize this man so quickly. I appreciated that Mr. Cerf acknowledged this wrongness on his part. I really like the essay, when Mr, Cerf says, "I believe that every person deserves respect, and that I can learn something new from everyone." I 100% agree with this statement. I too believe that everyone has a story to tell, and that is our duty to listen to those stories. Each person deserves the same amount of respect. From the minimum wage driver to the multi-million dollar CEO.
I Too Believe in Respect
In Vint Cerf's essay, he describes the importance of respect. He tells the story of being driven by a middle aged man and wondering how miserable his life must be, working for minimum wage. After talking to this man, Mr. Cerf realizes that the driver that he thought wwas just a minimum wage worker, was actually an ex-
CEO for a large corporation. Why did Mr. Cerf characterize this man so quickly. I appreciated that Mr. Cerf acknowledged this wrongness on his part. I really like the essay, when Mr, Cerf says, "I believe that every person deserves respect, and that I can learn something new from everyone." I 100% agree with this statement. I too believe that everyone has a story to tell, and that is our duty to listen to those stories. Each person deserves the same amount of respect. From the minimum wage driver to the multi-million dollar CEO.
I Too Believe in Respect
We are all aware to prejudices and stereotypes in society. As much as we may say we don't give into these stereotypes, they are unfortunately unavoidable. As humans, we are made to categorize people. I remember the time when my stereotypes were put to the test. I often look down upon the homeless. I try to avoid eye contact, i walk on the other side of the street, i even try not to respond when they ask me a question on the street. One day, i decided to challenge these stereotypes and saw that i needed to change. My school offers a homeless immersion, in which we spend seven days experiencing homelessness first hand. I was nervous about what i was about to experience, but at the same time i knew that it was something i had to experience.
On the immersion, i was able to meet many incredible and inspirational people. These people who i looked down upon became my brothers and sisters. I heard stories of being brutalized, spat on, yelled at, dehumanized and i felt terrible. The most important thing i learned on this Immersion experience was above all else, food, shelter, water, the one thing that these human beings wanted was respect. Respect that is deserved by every individual, regardless of their economic status, race, culture, or creed.
Respect brings people together. Civil discourse is a quality that society seems to lack today. The homeless are no different from you or I, and i wish i learned that sooner.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Commitments
The Setup
It's Eighth Grade, and i am just like any awkward, uncoordinated, confused young adult. In Middle School, I was (believe it or not) a shy, nervous, quiet kid who liked to keep to himself. In eighth grade, students were required to meet a certain number of "Christian Service" hours in order to graduate. I decided to volunteer at Eskaton Senior Center, a retirement home close to my house, where i would accomplish my hours of service.
The What
Immediately, i started to think I was out of my element. One of my biggest jobs was carrying on conversations with the residents. Now, i had a hard enough times making friends and talking with people my own age. So, i was expected to make conversation with people i hardly knew and were my grandma's age? I struggled to connect with the residents, because i wasnt giving my entire self to my service, which i later learned is what makes service so great and exciting.
My Service hours came and went, and i felt as though I had gained nothing from my experience. To me, service was just something I had to do to graduate. Then, to my slight displeasure, the High School that i dreamed about going to since i was a kid had the same requirement of "Christian Service". It wasn't until my Sophomore year, that i finally understood the meaning of service. After almost a year of volunteering, i made my first friend at Eskaton. His name was Bill, and he was an elderly man who had a love of sports. He taught at my High School's rival, but loved hearing about how the sports teams were doing at both schools. Because of Bill, i feel like i was able to branch out and find what really makes service "worth it".
The So What
This internal struggle of not wanting to be a part of a service community made a complete 180. I began enjoying every moment of volunteering. Volunteering at Eskaton became a part of my identity. It became more than an assignment and became something that felt good and was something i enjoyed doing. Every Friday i went back to that retirement home and performed many activities, duties, and services for the residents of Eskaton. I made many new friends and role-models with the men and women who lived there. Four years later i still volunteered at Eskaton at least twice a week, even after my hours were fulfilled each year.
The Now What
Even though i have seen many friends, including Bill, pass away, what each resident has taught me will stay with me forever. They taught me to feel for others and give my all for others, not just to fulfill some requirement, but to do it because you want to. Looking back, these almost five years of volunteering, at Eskaton, helped shape me into the man i am today. Without the guiding wisdom of the residents and the happy memories of helping those in need, I cannot imagine what my life would be like. I think the "Take Away" message from this blog is to give your entire self to others. I was so hesitant to do this, being such a shy kid, but when i was able to step out of my comfort zone and experience my "Christian Service" fully, the experience is something I wouldn't give up for the world.
It's Eighth Grade, and i am just like any awkward, uncoordinated, confused young adult. In Middle School, I was (believe it or not) a shy, nervous, quiet kid who liked to keep to himself. In eighth grade, students were required to meet a certain number of "Christian Service" hours in order to graduate. I decided to volunteer at Eskaton Senior Center, a retirement home close to my house, where i would accomplish my hours of service.
The What
Immediately, i started to think I was out of my element. One of my biggest jobs was carrying on conversations with the residents. Now, i had a hard enough times making friends and talking with people my own age. So, i was expected to make conversation with people i hardly knew and were my grandma's age? I struggled to connect with the residents, because i wasnt giving my entire self to my service, which i later learned is what makes service so great and exciting.
My Service hours came and went, and i felt as though I had gained nothing from my experience. To me, service was just something I had to do to graduate. Then, to my slight displeasure, the High School that i dreamed about going to since i was a kid had the same requirement of "Christian Service". It wasn't until my Sophomore year, that i finally understood the meaning of service. After almost a year of volunteering, i made my first friend at Eskaton. His name was Bill, and he was an elderly man who had a love of sports. He taught at my High School's rival, but loved hearing about how the sports teams were doing at both schools. Because of Bill, i feel like i was able to branch out and find what really makes service "worth it".
The So What
This internal struggle of not wanting to be a part of a service community made a complete 180. I began enjoying every moment of volunteering. Volunteering at Eskaton became a part of my identity. It became more than an assignment and became something that felt good and was something i enjoyed doing. Every Friday i went back to that retirement home and performed many activities, duties, and services for the residents of Eskaton. I made many new friends and role-models with the men and women who lived there. Four years later i still volunteered at Eskaton at least twice a week, even after my hours were fulfilled each year.
The Now What
Even though i have seen many friends, including Bill, pass away, what each resident has taught me will stay with me forever. They taught me to feel for others and give my all for others, not just to fulfill some requirement, but to do it because you want to. Looking back, these almost five years of volunteering, at Eskaton, helped shape me into the man i am today. Without the guiding wisdom of the residents and the happy memories of helping those in need, I cannot imagine what my life would be like. I think the "Take Away" message from this blog is to give your entire self to others. I was so hesitant to do this, being such a shy kid, but when i was able to step out of my comfort zone and experience my "Christian Service" fully, the experience is something I wouldn't give up for the world.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
The Most Astounding Fact
http://youtu.be/9D05ej8u-gU (sorry, dont know how to put the video in...)
Watching this video, i cannot help but be amazed. Neil DeGrasse Tyson is my absolute hero and is undoubtedly one of the smartest men of our age. He makes things that seems so complex and impossible seem fun and understandable. He has really paved the way for a new generation to be interested and want to be a part of the scientific community.
This video connects to me in many ways. First, i have always had a passion for astrophysics and space, unfortunately i am waaaaay too terrible at math to go along with that dream. Secondly, this video speaks a great deal about my own congruence. My own state of being and the state of being for everyone else is put on the broad spectrum of our universe.
I really feel connected to this video, because of what Mr. DeGrasse Tyson points out. He says that we all have the desire to feel needed and wanted, and I completely agree with this. We all want someone to be there for us, tell us we are special, and this someone is the universe. It astounds me to think just how perfect the conditions must have been for us to begin as tiny molecules and evolve into such complex beings. It's actually kind of mind blowing. I also really connected to the fact that everyone on this planet is connected. We are connected on a molecular level that disregards race, creed,sexual orientation, etc. and this fact makes me happy. We put so much emphasis on what makes us different, in fact we are built to place people into categories, that we tend to forget what makes each other so similar.
In my own life, i try to realize the human desire to feel wanted. No matter what, i try to make a person feel wanted. Whether that involves being there for a friend or saying hello to a person on the street, i am acknowledging that, that person matters. This is important when you consider how many people feel lost and believe they have no direction, purpose, or connection in our universe. Connectivity is something we should all strive for. I urge you to try to connect with everyone you meet, because we are a lot more similar than you may think.
Watching this video, i cannot help but be amazed. Neil DeGrasse Tyson is my absolute hero and is undoubtedly one of the smartest men of our age. He makes things that seems so complex and impossible seem fun and understandable. He has really paved the way for a new generation to be interested and want to be a part of the scientific community.
This video connects to me in many ways. First, i have always had a passion for astrophysics and space, unfortunately i am waaaaay too terrible at math to go along with that dream. Secondly, this video speaks a great deal about my own congruence. My own state of being and the state of being for everyone else is put on the broad spectrum of our universe.
I really feel connected to this video, because of what Mr. DeGrasse Tyson points out. He says that we all have the desire to feel needed and wanted, and I completely agree with this. We all want someone to be there for us, tell us we are special, and this someone is the universe. It astounds me to think just how perfect the conditions must have been for us to begin as tiny molecules and evolve into such complex beings. It's actually kind of mind blowing. I also really connected to the fact that everyone on this planet is connected. We are connected on a molecular level that disregards race, creed,sexual orientation, etc. and this fact makes me happy. We put so much emphasis on what makes us different, in fact we are built to place people into categories, that we tend to forget what makes each other so similar.
In my own life, i try to realize the human desire to feel wanted. No matter what, i try to make a person feel wanted. Whether that involves being there for a friend or saying hello to a person on the street, i am acknowledging that, that person matters. This is important when you consider how many people feel lost and believe they have no direction, purpose, or connection in our universe. Connectivity is something we should all strive for. I urge you to try to connect with everyone you meet, because we are a lot more similar than you may think.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
When I hear the critic of the Myers -Briggs test, ""When we put people in boxes where they can only be one or another, we miss the opportunity to see people as diverse as they are" I absolutely agree. I think that too many people have put too much value in tests like this. When we put ourselves into categories, we lose the best part that makes us human...diversity. We are undoubtedly the most diverse group of beings on this planet, and that is what makes humans so great. Honesty, it does not matter whether you are an ESFJ or an INTP, we are judged by our strength of character and the attitudes we live by.
Apart from this, i believe that ESFJ is a perfect fit for my personality. I am a very outgoing person and definitely focus my attention on the outer world of people and things. I am also well organized. I love making a schedule! Finally, i also tend to make decisions based on my values. It was a interesting experience taking this test, then to see who else fit which personality type. I was actually shocked to see so many extroverts and so few introverts.
Anyways, Even though we may put too much weight on these sort of personality tests, it was still fun to take the test and see how accurately i was judged.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Servant leadership model is something that I have almost grow up with. This idea of putting the needs of others first and doing what is necessary to help and teach others has bee something that has been instilled in me since I started started school. A Jesuit education has been in me since I started High School and this is where i truly understood the meaning of the servant leadership model. In High School, i met many great priests who had dedicated their lives to serving and teaching kids the meaning of this model.
In High School, christian service was mandatory. At first christian service was difficult and, to be honest, a little overwhelming. I first started my service at Eskaton retirement center. Over the years i began to develop relationships with the people i worked with and the people i served. Service became a part os my life and i began to treasure each moment i shared working to make the lives of the residents of Eskaton a little bit better. I soon realized that many of the resident of Eskaton had not been visited by their families in quite some time. I made it my duty to make sure that every time i volunteered i would make sure that every one there felt wanted and loved.
I chose this picture because i think it adequately represents the feeling of love that we all desire. This is the kid of love that i try to show to all i meet and to the people i serve. This is why i love the servant model, because it is about love. It is about loving your brother and sister and doing what you can to help that person with their struggles and celebrate with their triumphs.
In High School, christian service was mandatory. At first christian service was difficult and, to be honest, a little overwhelming. I first started my service at Eskaton retirement center. Over the years i began to develop relationships with the people i worked with and the people i served. Service became a part os my life and i began to treasure each moment i shared working to make the lives of the residents of Eskaton a little bit better. I soon realized that many of the resident of Eskaton had not been visited by their families in quite some time. I made it my duty to make sure that every time i volunteered i would make sure that every one there felt wanted and loved.
I chose this picture because i think it adequately represents the feeling of love that we all desire. This is the kid of love that i try to show to all i meet and to the people i serve. This is why i love the servant model, because it is about love. It is about loving your brother and sister and doing what you can to help that person with their struggles and celebrate with their triumphs.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Hi my name is Hunter Straine and i am definitely enjoying my time here at SCU. I am from Sacramento, CA and went to Jesuit High School. I am currently a political science major in the school of arts and sciences. I love to read and watch baseball and nothing can separate me from my love of the San Francisco
Giants. My favorite TV shows are The walking Dead and How I Met Your Mother.
I think that i am fairly outgoing and very welcoming and love to be a person that people can come talk to about anything. And my biggest fear is spiders for obvious reasons. They are so scary, though!
I come from a small Serbian family mostly made up of me, my parents, and my godmother. I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone during this quarter and learning a lot from this class.
Giants. My favorite TV shows are The walking Dead and How I Met Your Mother.
I think that i am fairly outgoing and very welcoming and love to be a person that people can come talk to about anything. And my biggest fear is spiders for obvious reasons. They are so scary, though!
I come from a small Serbian family mostly made up of me, my parents, and my godmother. I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone during this quarter and learning a lot from this class.
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