Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
LA GEAR UP
I have been selected to participate in the LA GEAR UP program as a Camp Counselor. I am thrilled. The program is designed to help junior high students prepare for college. We will try to encourage them to make the decision to go to college, then they take ACT pretests, then we tutor them on subjects in which they are weak. Finally, and most importantly, we build bonds with them and become sort of their mentor.
I am so excited about this opportunity because the director of the program said that it is all about changing lives. It is funny to me that that is the program's main objective because that is the main reason I decided to go into psychology. When my mom passed away, I did not have anyone to ever say to me "If you need someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on, I am here for you." NEVER!!! And that is what I needed the most being that I am my mom's only child, and she was a single parent. I needed that because I did not have any brothers or sisters who could identify with what I was going through. No one understood or empathized with what I was feeling. So, I decided to go into psychology so that I could one day help children who have lost a parent in a way that I had no one help me. I would love to be able to change someone's life.
The program director also said that a lot of the children coming to the camps are underprivileged and some do not have their parents' support and encouragement when it comes to school. Even though they may be smart and determined, they do not have the information they need to even consider going to college. I could be that kid's support system and encouragement. I may be the person who, 20 years from now, that kid grows up to be successful and comes back to and says "If it were not for you, I probably would not be where I am today." I could change someone's life! That is so amazing to me because I want to be able to change people's lives for a living someday. This is a great start.
However, there are a lot of people who got the job of being a summer camp counselor and they could care less if they change someone's life or not. They are really just in it for the money. At first I felt privileged to have gotten the job, but now I don't because they hired so many people who in my opinion are not qualified. It just makes me realize that they did not have very high standards or expectations for the applicants. Which sucks because the people like me who are not just doing for the money are losing out. They assign each counselor a certain week or weeks to work. Some of the people who just want the money got assigned like 3 or even 4 or 5 weeks whereas I only got assigned 1 week. It really sucks.
But, I asked for more weeks so I will let you know what happens.
I am so excited about this opportunity because the director of the program said that it is all about changing lives. It is funny to me that that is the program's main objective because that is the main reason I decided to go into psychology. When my mom passed away, I did not have anyone to ever say to me "If you need someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on, I am here for you." NEVER!!! And that is what I needed the most being that I am my mom's only child, and she was a single parent. I needed that because I did not have any brothers or sisters who could identify with what I was going through. No one understood or empathized with what I was feeling. So, I decided to go into psychology so that I could one day help children who have lost a parent in a way that I had no one help me. I would love to be able to change someone's life.
The program director also said that a lot of the children coming to the camps are underprivileged and some do not have their parents' support and encouragement when it comes to school. Even though they may be smart and determined, they do not have the information they need to even consider going to college. I could be that kid's support system and encouragement. I may be the person who, 20 years from now, that kid grows up to be successful and comes back to and says "If it were not for you, I probably would not be where I am today." I could change someone's life! That is so amazing to me because I want to be able to change people's lives for a living someday. This is a great start.
However, there are a lot of people who got the job of being a summer camp counselor and they could care less if they change someone's life or not. They are really just in it for the money. At first I felt privileged to have gotten the job, but now I don't because they hired so many people who in my opinion are not qualified. It just makes me realize that they did not have very high standards or expectations for the applicants. Which sucks because the people like me who are not just doing for the money are losing out. They assign each counselor a certain week or weeks to work. Some of the people who just want the money got assigned like 3 or even 4 or 5 weeks whereas I only got assigned 1 week. It really sucks.
But, I asked for more weeks so I will let you know what happens.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Movies - Again
I recently saw Beyonce Knowles's new movie "Obsessed", co-starring Ali Larter. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Beyonce fan - the hugest - but this movie was not all that. I felt like I had seen it (or something like it) before. Plus, it was super-predictable. I hate when I can tell what's going to happen next. It takes the fun out of watching a movie, especially a thriller. Thrillers are supposed to have you on the edge of your seat wanting more and wondering what's going to happen next. This movie didn't do that!
On a brighter note, Beyonce's performance in the movie was good. Her acting skills have improved tremendously since her role in "Cadillac Records" and "Austin Powers: Goldmember." In her older movies I was like "She needs to stick to singing." But when I saw this one I was like "Okay, maybe she can do the acting thing." Not all singers/rappers can act, but she did well.
Ali Larter's performance was amazing!!! Her character was this crazy woman and there were scenes where the camera would zoom in on her and she had like a crazy look in her eyes. She was so believable. WOW. Beyonce's performance pales in comparison to Ali's. Even though the actors did well, the plot of the movie sucked.
On a brighter note, Beyonce's performance in the movie was good. Her acting skills have improved tremendously since her role in "Cadillac Records" and "Austin Powers: Goldmember." In her older movies I was like "She needs to stick to singing." But when I saw this one I was like "Okay, maybe she can do the acting thing." Not all singers/rappers can act, but she did well.
Ali Larter's performance was amazing!!! Her character was this crazy woman and there were scenes where the camera would zoom in on her and she had like a crazy look in her eyes. She was so believable. WOW. Beyonce's performance pales in comparison to Ali's. Even though the actors did well, the plot of the movie sucked.
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