For our third class meeting, we reviewed the various assignments we will be completing in the Life Course Scholars Program. After hearing about all of the Healthy Aging Projects that have been put on in the past, I think I am pretty excited to put on a project of my own. I think it was very helpful to hear about the aspects that past participants struggled with and the tips they had for us in hosting our events. This will be my first time trying to put on a large-scale event, so I am thankful that our first try at the projects will be done as a large group rather than with a few peers. In terms of the projects themselves, I am looking forward to designing fun activities for the elders to partake in during the dances. Specifically, I like the idea of hosting a dance with The Great Gatsby theme where elders have the option of participating in an arts and crafts activity where they can design bandanas with feathers, glitter, and much more. Additionally, another idea I have considered is to host a dance with a masquerade theme where elders also have the option of designing and crafting different kinds of masks that they can keep as a souvenir. I am not too sure how much authority we will have to decide on themes for the dances, but I figured that these may be some options we can consider if we are able to. In regard to the Neighborhood Assessment Project, I am looking forward to exploring the Golden Hill area as I have yet to visit this part of San Diego. I feel like having the chance to walk around as a small group will give me a more in depth view of the area and its characteristics.
For our second meeting as a class, we visited the Gary and Mary West Center. One particular aspect of this site that I quickly noticed was that this was a place of gathering rather than residence. As I saw elders walking by, I took note that such a location is a unique way to allow individuals of a single cohort to come together and socialize, enjoy meals, and participate in interactive activities. It was intriguing to observe that each section of the building was dedicated for a specific purpose such as an exercise room, a computer café, a cafeteria, and much more. I was also surprised to see that the Gary and Mary West Center offered a full-functioning dental office on the second floor. I believe it is great that the center provides visitors with convenient access to adequate dental care which elders may have trouble affording if they have a limited budget to cover their expenses. When we entered the cafeteria, I was surprised to see how packed it was. I was a little nervous and intimidated to approach the elders and speak with them and the first few I greeted did not seem to have much to say to me, but one elder in particular surprised me with a greeting behind my back. I quickly turned around and had a full conversation with Robert who was from Michigan and had been living in San Diego for the past two years. He told me about his hopes of finding an adequate place to live soon and that he believes he will settle here permanently. It was relieving to see that he was as interested to speak with me as I was to interact with him. Additionally, I enjoyed being able to serve lunch to all the elders and seeing the smiles from their faces when I delivered their trays.
I enjoyed the notecards game that worked as an ice breaker and allowed me to meet a classmate I never got the chance to speak with before. Attempting to find three things we had in common also gave us something to speak about with one another while simultaneously permitting me to get to know her on a personal level. The version of Life that we played was interesting in the sense that it was realistic in comparison to the obstacles we run into in today’s society. It emphasized how everyone has different privileges or struggles, but each person will face a variety of ups and downs in life nonetheless. It was also intriguing because there were moments where players would face positive events in life, one after another but then come to face a hurdle of challenges that knocked them down multiple times. These occurrences do happen in real life and may not be as easy to overcome as to pull a green card in the game. Having Dr. Benesh come speak about the importance of memoirs was eye-opening for me because I never thought to document my relatives’ lives. I would ask questions to find out about their past here and there, but then I would just keep this information to myself rather than do anything with it. However, there is something genuinely special about putting together a memoir that countless family members can enjoy and have to look back upon a special relative’s memories. I would like to hold onto my memoir to look back on later in my life and potentially pass down to my own children so that they can understand who my grandmother was.
Our first meeting as a class consisted of going over administrative duties such as the syllabus and content of our course, along with the novels we will come to read. Additionally, we reviewed some examples of past Healthy Aging Projects as well as the Healthy Aging Projects we will collectively put on together this quarter. After reviewing the course content, I can say that I am excited for all that is to come in this program. I admire how this program is different from typical courses I have taken at UC San Diego. Instead of being anxious about upcoming exams and assignments for this course, I feel as if I am preparing myself for an opportunity for learning more about aging populations and how human beings react and interact with the concept of aging. This is subject matter that I have never really come into contact before besides touching upon age distribution among a few populations in a high school course. Since all the elders I have encountered in my life have been relatives or my grandmothers’ friends, I am a bit nervous about approaching and holding conversations with elders that I have no prior relation to. I hope to become more comfortable with this type of interaction over time and am relieved to know that these elders are interested in interacting with us in return. I am glad that we will be able to work collectively to host the Healthy Aging Projects this quarter and feel as if this will be good preparation for us to put on our own projects in the spring. Overall, I am looking forward to the events to come in the Life Course Scholars Program.
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Monique SimArchives
June 2018
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