Contemporary Dance- Energy Qualities

Photo from Student Affairs Blog

         There are many different energy qualities that can reflect different styles, moods, and movements.  In my contemporary dance class it has been very interesting to learn about different energies, and to be able to dance them.  When I think about what energies explain my life I feel like they could all relate in one way or another.  However, the two energy qualities I feel reflect my life the most at this time are percussive and sustained.

The energy quality that I feel explains my current life at school is percussive.  With being in school you are constantly being pulled in different directions, and have many things that you have to balance.  You have assignments, classes, quizzes, tests, and you still want to have a social life and have time to relax.  Percussive movements are directed in different directions and I feel each movement could be a different obligation that is pulling at your attention.  Sometimes it feels like you could be going a million different directions at once and percussive movements displays this because each  movement is different, distinct, and sometimes opposite.

 Percussive movements are also sharp and prominent.  I relate this back to my life with school because you have to be on the ball and balance all your responsibilities.  If you are not sharp while dancing with percussive energy the whole dance will look sloppy.  Just as if you are not “sharp” in school (on time to class, working hard, taking responsibility, etc.) your assignments, work, and grades will begin to get sloppy. 

Percussive movements sometimes describe my life in school, but I also feel like sustained energy describes me as well.  Sustained energy is continuous and flowing.  This reminds me of my life at times because I like to go with the flow.  I like things to connect and play off of each other.  Sustained energy is one of my favorite energies to dance.  The movements are always connecting to each other, and each movement is a transition into another movement.  Sustained energy makes me feel connected to my inner emotions the most because each movement of the body feels natural and sometimes almost subconscious.  This is why I feel like sustained energy relates to my life. Each experience I have plays off of another experience because I learn and grow in new ways.

Energy qualities all are unique and express different moods. They can relate to our lives and the moods we feel.  Percussive and sustained energies are two energies that I feel can relate to my life. Although percussive energy sometimes describes my life with school, I feel sustained energy relates to my everyday life as well. 

Social Work Agency Visit- Child and Family Services

          On March 8, 2012 I received the opportunity to visit Utah Division of Child and Family Services, DCFS, for my intro to social work class.    DCFS has over five locations and their services are crucial in today’s society.  From July of 2010 to July of 2011 DCFS helped over 56,496 people.   Upon going I had the opportunity to learn about their purpose, the intake process, and some personal accounts Mr. Jenkins has had.

            DCFS purpose is to ensure that “children, adults and families enjoy safety, permanency and well-being from their partnership with the community and Child and Family Services.”  DCFS is a state- administered agency and is within the Department of Human Services.  They administer services to children 0-18; these children have been either abused or neglected in one way or another.  Their “mission” is help individuals live freely from abuse. 

            DCFS has what they call the intake process.  This is how they decide whether or not they are going to look into a case.  They do get a lot of calls but not all of the calls are legitimate, or have enough evidence to have something done about it.  When this happens they record the call in “SAFE.”  Every call ever made is recorded and kept just in case it is needed somewhere along the road.  However if a case has potential and is legitimate the case is opened and assigned a child protective service worker, CPS.

 CPS workers also have a timeframe of when they will respond to the call.  They call this timeframe a “priority.”  There are three different priorities.  Priority 1 is when “immediate” protection is needed, causing a face-to-face meeting to happen within the next hour.  Priority 2 is when the risk “of physical evidence” is lost and a face-to-face meeting is required within 24 hours.  Finally, priority 3 is when there is a low risk to the child’s safety and face-to-face contact is required within 3 days by midnight.   Depending on what priority it is, determines on how long the CPS worker will take to respond. 

CPS workers than begin an investigation on the case.  They interview family members, neighbors, the child, and other people who have direct information / knowledge of abuse or neglect.  After enough information is abstracted, the case is assessed.  If the child is considered safe, no services are necessary by DCFS.  However the CPS worker may decide that the child needs in home based services.  This is where the child who is at risk can remain in the home and have the services delivered to them and their family in the home.  Or if there is immediate risk to a child or a warrant is assessed to get the child out of the home, a foster home can be prepared for the child.

            Mr. Jenkins explained this throughout the presentation, but he also told of personal experiences he has had.  Whether he was discussing individual cases where he has had to help remove children who were victims of Munchausen by proxy , or of times when he had to personally show up to people’s houses to investigate the environment the child was living in (cleanliness, etc.)   He also explained how he assesses certain cases when a judge has asked him to retrieve more information about a court case. 

            By having Mr. Jenkins teach us about DCFS’ purpose, intake process, and personal experiences I learned a great deal more about child services.  It was very sad to hear about some of the horrific things innocent children experience. Unfortunately these experiences children experience affects them psychologically and emotionally for the rest of their lives.  But the hard work people put in, like DCFS, has a huge impact on helping children “live free from abuse” and neglect; ultimately changing the child’s entire life for the better. 

Presidents' Day Weekend

Presidents’ Day weekend was a very eventful few days.  Not only did I have the opportunity to meet a presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, but I got the opportunity to fly to Arizona, enjoy the outdoors of Phoenix, and soak up some of the sun’s rays.

 As soon as class ended on Friday my roommate, Kate, and I drove back to her house so we could attend an event with her dad before we left for the airport.  Her dad is a donator for Mitt Romney’s campaign, and Little America was hosting an event for Romney and some of his donators from Utah.  It was very interesting seeing this side of political campaigning.  This was the first time I had been to a political function and it was different than what might be broadcasted on T.V. 

There was a huge line of people waiting to shake Romney’s hand and get a picture with him.  When Romney arrived he thanked everyone for being there and for the support they provide.  He then began to take pictures with the groups of individuals in line.  When it was our turn I got the opportunity to shake his hand, and have him request for me to stand next to him in the picture.  As soon as the picture was taken we were rushed out of the way, being replaced by the next group.  There were a lot of people there, who all wanted to meet him, so there was limited time on how long each group of people could talk to him.  He probably stood there for hours taking pictures, which must have made his face sore from so much smiling! 

Immediately after we got our picture, we had to leave the event so we could catch our flight to Phoenix.  I was very excited.  I needed a break from school where I could relax and do something besides studying.  The next three days we got the opportunity to experience Phoenix in all of its glory. 

Kate, her dad, and I spent time hiking and biking.  We did a three hour hike up Camel Back Mountain.  The view was beautiful, and it was very fun for me because I could see the city I use to live in, Ahwatukee, off in the distance.  I hadn’t been that close to it since I moved when I was six. We also spent time biking around the city that was by our resort, Camel Back Inn.  Taking in the different atmosphere was refreshing.  Everything from the houses, plants, architecture styles, and temperatures were different from Utah.  Being able to explore on a bike was an enjoyable way to see Phoenix.

Due to the warm temperature there, the three of us were able to spend time at the pool as well.   This enabled us to get some much needed vitamin D and a chance to take a dip into the resorts’ refreshing pool.   When Monday finally came we stopped by a mall to shop a little, before we headed back to the airport and back to reality.  Presidents Day Weekend was overall a very refreshing, relaxing, and enjoyable weekend where I got to experience some very exciting things.  

Giving Back to the Community: Food and Care Coalition

For my Introduction to Social Work class I get the opportunity to take a few “field trips” to various organizations throughout the course.  I recently had the opportunity to visit Food and Care Coalition, a non-profit organization whose main goal is to help those who are struggling to make ends meet.  I was immediately astounded as I began to learn about all of the programs they have to help countless individuals get back on their feet financially.   

 One of Food and Care Coalition’s main attractions is the kitchen and dining hall where they serve people hot meals.  In the dining rooms they also have performers year around that interact and boost the morale of the individuals who come.  This is something that I found fascinating.  I learned that Food and Care Coalition is constantly putting on shows, events, and providing crafts that the individuals can benefit from.

Aside from just feeding the people in need, Food and Care Coalition provides a number of services to help the clients mentally and physically.  They allow people to get essential items such as hygiene materials, blankets, pillows, tarps, etc.  They also provide the means for people to get dental work done, their clothes laundered, and their hair cut. They have hired social workers that provide counseling to help individuals.  I thought of the perspective of someone who does not know where their next meal will be, or where they are going to sleep.  This would take a toll on a person mentally, and emotionally.  By reflecting on the perspective of these individuals, it would definitely be a challenge to face this difficult feat. These hired social workers are there to help assist those in need.

Food and Care Coalition is also in the process of finishing a housing unit where they can hold people from anywhere to a couple of months to over a year.  This is a huge help in getting people out of poverty.  It allows them not to have their main focus be trying to find food or a place to sleep, but in finding a place to work.  By being given a place to eat and sleep they can put their efforts in finding a job.  People from the community will also come and provide classes where they can teach these individuals more life skills such as what land lords are looking for, etc.  A library is provided where individuals can check out books, and they offer a mail service the residents can use. I believe this development in their organization will help immensely in getting individuals out of poverty by giving them the opportunity to become stable.   

On top of all of these services Food and Care Coalition also let people work for what they are given.  This again helps individuals become more stable and independent by allowing them to work for the things they receive. For example if they are given a sleeping bag, an individual may go in the parking lot and help pick up trash for an hour. 

My favorite part of the visit was just learning how much the community does to help.  They have volunteers who cut people’s hair, do dental work, and launder clothes.  There are people who donate money, food, clothes, hygiene products, etc.  I did not realize how many services were offered, and how many volunteers helped.  If it were not for the generosity of people within the community, Food and Care Coalition and other organizations like it would not be as effective as they are now.  This realization is so significant.  There are so many people in the community giving back, and helping in ways that they can.  People’s charity astounds me.  Going to Food and Care Coalition makes me realize how much I want to give back to the world, and I admire the hard work they have done to help others.

Elder Bednar's "Things As They Really Are."

    Elder Bednar’s main topic in his talk was discussing “Things As They Really Are.”   He brought many impactful insights to light, one of which was discussing the crucial role our bodies have.  Gaining a body is an essential part to God’s plan.  Our bodies are the homes to our spirits here on earth.  By possessing a body Elder Bednar explains that we are able to recognize truth, and obey principles and ordinances more fully.   We are able to experience love, joy, family life, kindness, sorrow, and pain.  By discussing all of the things human beings can have pathos is created within the reader.  It allows a reader to reflect on their own life and realize even more of the capabilities their bodies bring them.

    Elder Bednar goes on by discussing how Lucifer, although he wants one, does not have a body.  In fact he wants one so bad he would even prefer “a swine’s body over none.”  However, he does not have a body and therefore we as humans have power over him.  This provides logos because Elder Bednar allows us to see the logic behind this concept.   Although the Devil is very powerful, he cannot force us to do anything we do not choose to do.  We have the ability to act as we wish.

    By reading through Elder Benar’s impactful talk a reader is able to believe what is said because of his ethos.  He holds a lot of credibility by being a member of the Quorum of The Twelve Apostles.  However he takes it one step further by quoting other prophets.  Because of Elder Bednar’s pathos, logos, and ethos we as readers are able to learn and appreciate the crucial role our bodies hold.

Grandma's SURPRISE Party!!!!!

My Grandma Linda is a sight to behold.  If I were to describe her in five words they would be generous, classy, diva, and world traveler.  She is taking on the world one step at a time, and I look up to her completely.  Not only is she the CEO of a company that she started, but she has received her PH.D., written three books, and is the best grandma anyone could ask for.  Pedicure trips, shopping sprees, and taking the family on vacations does not even begin to describe how kind she is to her grandchildren. She has always been an active member in my life.  She is one of the most generous people I have ever met, freely giving of her time, money, and love.

She recently had her 70^th birthday.  My wonderful grandpa decided that he wanted to throw her a SURPRISE PARTY to show a small fraction of the gratitude countless people have towards her.  He rented Eagle Gate Golf Course in Salt Lake and invited her children, grandchildren, employees, ward members, and various friends she has met over the years.  By seven o’clock the room was filled with various decorations people had put together, and anxious guests awaiting her arrival. 

As she pulled up, the lights went out and everyone fell silent.  The surprise was evident on her face as she came into the room. She was completely flabbergasted at what awaited her in that room.  It was not an empty room she thought she was touring for her friend’s reception, but instead it was a jammed packed room full of familiar smiling faces.

 The remainder of the night everyone enjoyed dinner, a program full of stories, and a photo booth filled with crazy costumes.  This night was all about her and the good she has done.  I owe a great deal to her and my full love and respect goes out to her!

Response to Elder Eyring's Talk

  Elder Eyring’s talk is one filled with insightful advice geared to helping us all remember that we are children of God.  Despite this divine heritage we posses there are many stumbling blocks that we face here on earth that causes us to lose our way, and in some cases become lost forever.  Elder Eyring’s address gives us help and guidance to some of the challenges people face. Pride.  Pride is one tactic that Satan employs on others to make them lose sight of what is really important.  I think Elder Eyring clearly portrayed the impact pride can have by making us realize what we are looking over if we give ourselves so much credit.

  God has given us everything.  When we let ourselves become enthralled with the things of the world, giving ourselves all recognition, we not only weaken our true power that comes with being a righteous child of God but we begin to mix up our priorities.  Whether pride comes with becoming a famous NBA star, an actor, or perhaps through the intellect we receive here on earth the effects are the same.  We see this all around us and at times even see ourselves becoming entangled with this dangerous trap. 

  One of my favorite “antidotes” he discusses in helping us with pride is remembering who we are and where we came from.   When we realize that we are children of God and that Christ has sacrificed everything for us we can gain humility.  He truly loves us.  By realizing some of the blessings we have, such as the plan of salvation, we can also discover the necessity of hard work in this life.

  Elder Eyring’s words have very much truth and brilliance behind them.  This life really does determine the “rest of our condition for eternity.”  By reading his insights to why we need to work hard and remain humble, determination begins to stir within me.  This life is full of challenges and difficulties.  However, just as Elder Eyring discussed, we must work hard and expect difficulties because of the truth we as members of the church have.  This life is a test.  We were sent here to show that we are faithful, and will remain faithful, throughout this life so we can make it back to God.  God has high hopes for us.  He has faith in us.  We must take Elder Eyring’s important advice by remaining humble and working hard throughout our entire lives!