This week in class we talked about socialization and the difference between genders and how they grow up. We each brought in different childhood toys and we learned that there was an apparent difference between female toys and male toys. Boy toys tended to be more macho looking and had a tough guy appeal. On the other hand, girls toys were very motherly and attracted to nurtering little people/ things. This behavior developed at a young age creates a certain mindset for kids growing up. They get this certain idea in their head and they feel the need to fufill these expectation. An example is the way and difference my younger brother and sister grew up. Because my sister is 3 years younger and my brother is 6 years younger, I had the chance to watch them grow up and they continue to. My sister always played with my old dolls such as Barbie and my Amberican Girls dolls. My parents thought what they were doing was right because it was their second daughter and they had all of the hand-me-downs. Then suddenly my brother came into the picture and it threw everything off. Now it wasn't acceptable to play with dolls and dress up as princesses. My parents bought all new toys like Thomas the train and Pokemon. It was such a difference watching a girl grow up compared to a boy.

This week we talked about socialization and the different influences we have while growing up. It was so interesting to watch a few different stories of kids growing up in troubled homes. It made me realize how much just simple interaction with humans make us who we are. No matter if it's just looking and being around other people, it forms and molds us to be, us. We then discussed how the difference influences shape us and how many of the qualities our parents have transfer to us. Because my dad's from Canada, I rarely see his side of the family. When we see them though, I find it so funny that so many of the same things I do, they do too. For example, when I'm in the middle of a conversation with someone I very frequently tend to zone out and not listen to anything their saying and completely forget what's going on. About 4 of my relatives on my dad's side did the same exact thing. Lately when I've been spending more time with my dad, I picked up on so many of the same things we do, that I obviously got from him. For example, he will see someone who he knows. Even if he doesn't know their name or remember how he knows them, he will stop and have a discussion with them for at least 10 minutes. I now know where I get my "shmoozing" from. I also picked up on my dad's stubbornness. When he has made his mind about something, that's how it is. And I find myself doing many of the same things. It's interesting though because my brother and sister don't do those same things, but have different qualities that resemble my dad in them.

Today in class we talked about what makes us human compared to animals and newborn babies. We discussed instinct and consciousness and how that makes up different. I later than thought about that relates to my life. Clearly, in class I expressed my love for dogs and how I get really emotional when something sad happens to them. Remembering back on a few years ago, I had this one conversation with my mom. I asked her if Caramel (my dog) misses his mom ever. My mom told me no because they don't have the same thoughts that we do. Today it class, everything made sense. Dogs don't have the same emotions we do. They don't see the difference between people and physicals objects. As humans, we are very complex individuals. We see the world differently than dogs. It's a combination or nature and nurture that make us who we are.

This week in class we are watching Tuesdays with Morrie. Although we are not finished yet, I am really enjoying it. One of the main messages I caught from this movie is having no regrets. Mitch, the main character has lived his life to a certain point without expressing how he truly feels about the ones he loves the most. When he finds out Morrie is in his last few weeks, he makes a strong effort to visit him on a weekly basis and as time goes on he learns more about himself than he ever thought. Morrie taught him to always tell someone how to feel and that love conquers all. Morrie tells Mitch a story about his own childhood and how he regrets never telling his father how he felt about him. At that point in the movie, I took a minute and thought about an experience that was very similar to me. Growing up, I was always very close with my Grandma. I saw her very often and loved every moment with her. When she began getting sick I tried hard to go visit her but the visits became harder and harder because of the poor shape she was in. In my mind, I always wanted to remember her as healthy and happy. Slowly, I cut the visits down and to a point I rarely saw her. Eventually she passed and all I could feel was emptiness and regret. I had so much left to say to her and so many unanswered questions. She was my best friend and now she was gone. I learned a very valuable lesson though. I learned to live in the moment and embrace every opportunity or chance given to you, because things can be taken away from you in an instant. Many years later, left with no grandparents, I remain happy rather than upset. I think about all the good times I had with my Grandma and the memories that I will never forget.

This week in class we had to take a look at American culture. At first, it was really hard for me to put us in a general group. We are all so different. America is known as the melting pot, and each culture brings over different qualities that contribute to make who we are. However, after talking about all of this in class, I have opened my eyes to begin to see who we really are from an outsiders view. Yesterday at work I paid close attention to the eating habits of typical Americans. I noticed that each persons meal was approx. 50 minutes long. Is that really long enough for a nice, quality dinner? Later that night a group of Japanese men came in to experience "real" American dining. When they left Kona, they had been there for a total of 3 hours. I don't think it was just a coincidence. We as Americans are taught to always be in a hurry and obey time. Rarely do we just relax and enjoy the company. I am now seeing more and more "American" characteristics in many of my friends and family. It is amazing how comfortable we have become with our culture.

Today in class we talked about different norms around the world. We watched a video on President Bush holding hands and kissing the King of some other country. At first, I was like "Woah, thats awkward." But after being in sociology for a few weeks, I learned to take a step back and observe the situation from a different perspective. To us, this looked like such an odd thing. But to these people and their culture, this is completely normal. They hold hands and kiss to show respect for the new friendship. This relates to the fish bowl example we talked about in class. On the inside of the fish bowl, everything seems normal and acceptable. However, to an outsiders stand point, we tend to judge. Not only are we judging them, but they are doing the same thing right back at us. They may find is odd that we only show emotion to people who are special such as boyfriends/girlfriends and family. On a smaller aspect of this, I thought about something my family does that many other "typical Americans" may find "weird." Whenever we see our extended family we always do double kisses. We do kiss on one cheek, then a kiss on the other. From as far as a I can remember, that's what we do and it is completely normal to me. One of my friends once asked me why we do that. I didn't really have a reason, rather it's just something we always do. I guess it's sort of like a tradition, like each culture/ country has their own traditions to comprehend their norms.

Groups
What are all the groups that Collogero belongs to? (Think in terms of the circles exercise we did in class.) Would you put him in Sonny’s crew, or would you put him and Sonny in their own group? What is Collogero’s Master Status? Why do you think so? Do you think his master status changes throughout the movie?

First of all, I want to say that movie was so good! I really enjoyed it. It was very moving. C belonged to many groups in then short span we saw of his life. If I were to put him in "circles", he would be a part of family, friends, love life, and the gang. I believe each one of these circles make up C, and without all of them he would not be who he is. Each group plays a large role on his life and who he has become as a character. His family has inspired him to never give up and always work for what he wants. They taught him the characteristics of a loyal and hard working American. His friends were there for him to relax with and be himself around. Although he sometimes felt superior because of Sonny, he always remained a good friend. His love life with Jane also plays a large role in C's life. He was going against the odds with dating an African American girl. His true personality came out when he decided nothing else matters but his happiness. He realized it isn't worth it worrying about what others think, as long as he is happy. This showed how brave C is. Lastly, but surely not least, C is a part of the "crew" with Sonny. At first he did not feel welcome with them, but over the years he learns to rely on them and know he can trust them. Sonny becomes a father figure, which is questionable whether that is a positive or negative thing. Overall, C had each group in the palms of his hands and it was up to him what group he wanted to embrace the most, or in other words, to chose his master status. In the beginning of the movie, his main status is 100% his family. He is very dependent on his father both physically and emotionally. He ENJOYS spending time riding the bus all day with him and really looked up to him as a hero. After spending a lot of time with Sonny, C's master group slowly changes. Although C still loves his family, he spends more time with Sonny and his "people". This may be C's way of growing up independently or simply his way of finding who he is. Regardless, C belongs to many groups and they make up who he is, just like how all of us belong to several groups that create who we are.