At the beginning of class, their teacher puts five words/phrases on the board: Jock, Prom Queen, Geek, Loner, and Friendly (which here means slut). The students are then asked to describe other members of the class using one of these words. After this short exercise, the class is divided into pairs, and each group is given a digital camera and a set of instructions to follow. At the end of the class period, each student is supposed to take a picture that shows how they see their partner.
Since she didn't get a chance to do this exercise when she was in high school herself, Princess shared her own answers to the instructions they were given and posted them; at the end, she invited anyone else who wants to do the same on their blog. Since I was impressed with the questions/instructions and her answers to them, I thought I'd give it a shot. Happy reading, everyone...
1. Share something personal with your partner.
I've always felt inadequate at pretty much everything I've done in life. I don't think I live up to people's expectations for me, or for that matter, my expectations for myself. It's partly because I was (unfavorably) compared to my siblings for most of my life, and partly because I have a lot of practice at self-criticism and I always feel like I could/should have done better.
2. Lighten up. Do an impression of a celebrity or famous character.
As Princess pointed out, it's hard to do this on a blog, but I'll try:
[crunching long carrot] Eh...what's up, Doc?
Thank you, thank you. I hope you enjoyed my impression of Bugs Bunny.
3. Admit something that worries you or something you're afraid of.
Deep down, I'm afraid that no one really likes me...and what's more, that there's nothing to like. I'm afraid that I'm constantly annoying people and that they're just too nice to tell me. I'm afraid of being too needy, too clingy, and that if I am that people will see how pathetic I really am and they'll hate me. Holy crud I cannot believe I just said that....
4. What do you want to be in ten years?
I want to be happy. Really, truly, consistently happy. (Yes, I know that was your answer, Princess, but who says we can't want them same thing?) The truth is, I've come a long way in the past few years, and I think that overall I'm a happier person than I was before, but in the back of my mind I'm always nervous that it won't last.
5. Tell your partner a secret.
I don't think anyone knows the real me. I'm not even sure if I do. And I'm afraid to find out, because I'm not sure I'll like what I find.
If I could take a picture of myself, it would be a black-and-white photo taken from behind of me standing on a hill staring off into the distance with my hair streaming out behind me. Wistful and hopeful at the same time.
As Princess mentioned, anyone else who would like to do this exercise, please feel free. I'd like to know what people have to say...
16 comments:
Very interesting idea. I like it, and want to do it, but it'll probably be awhile (I just did the eight-fact-not-a-meme thing).
nice project.
just wanted to say - you are vunerable, yet beautiful.. that's just an opinion i have of you, although I've never met you..
Yet, I know someone who has met you, who said you were a very very special and beautiful person. She spoke very highly of you.. and I just thought you should know it.
and by the way... you forgot
d-d-d-d-d-d-d-dat's all folks!
;)
aviva--that's okay, I can be patient when I want to be. :)
towik--thank you! I really appreciate knowing her high opinion of me, and yours as well. :) Tell her I say hello and to please be in touch. (And "Th-th-th-th-that's all folks!" is Porky Pig, not Bugs Bunny. :))
I think I'll probably do that later on tonight!
i don't like the first part of the excersize... every description the teacher posted was negative in my eyes, and tat forces the kids to see each other in a negative light. what's the purpose?
and you're NOT ANNOYING!
irina--great, I'll be looking forward to reading it. :)
dreamer--true, I didn't really think that sounded productive either. I like the questions/instructions, though. And I'm glad you think I'm not annoying. :)
3. Wow, I have the same fear sometimes.
I'll probably do this later, or in a few days.
I think a lot of people have the same fear. But it makes it less scary when we say it out loud and find out that other people think the same thing.
Nice exercize i agree writing it out helps.
Since this has been mentioned, I think I should point out that I forgot to include something from the beginning of the exercise.
After the students were asked to apply labels to their classmates, the teacher pointed out that the point of the rest of the assignment was to allow them to see each other beyond these basic labels.
It seems a lot less negative if you know that part of it. I can't believe I forgot to include it.
Also, I'm glad you decided to do this, it's really interesting to see someone else's answers.
I might do it again some time soon (or repost a modified version of my original).
sw/fm--are you up next? ;-)
princess--hehe...yeah, that would be an important little piece of information! I'm glad you enjoyed reading what I have to say, and I will look forward to reading your modified version if you do post it.
Thank goodness you don't know you! Now you have a whole lifetime to explore. Imagine if you would have been able to understand yourself in the couple of decades you've been around. How utterly dull.
~ Who am I?
Hehe...that's a nice, positive approach!
I don't know you...or at least I don't think I do. Do I? And do you know me?
No idea! :-D
If this were Hebrew, we could probably differentiate between "knowing" someone or yourself and "knowing" someone or yourself. If you don't "know" you, there's no chance that I ever would. However, I might "know" you IRL.
I doubt it, though. I don't know too many people in Stern.
:-)
Ah yes, the inadequacies of the English language. Lots of fun. :)
I'm not in Stern anymore, so you never know... ;-)
What a brave post. (or is it a pity party? I'll bring the ice cream ;-)
I'm not going to argue with your beliefs. I don't happen to agree with you on several counts, but they exist and a bunch of anonymous bloggers trying to make you feel good aren't going to help. So all I'll say is that I'm really sorry you feel that way. ***empathetic e-hug***
(And I got the point of the initial labeling on my first read, without going into the comments...)
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