Journal #1 (February 15, 2010)
1. This week at my site (explain you did)
This week at my site I met with my site supervisor. I also became familiar with where I would be working. We discussed what the problems were and how I would be able to assist her.
2. Observations (regarding power relationship. Equity, and or access to technology)
Twin Lakes Church definitely has great access to technology, many members of the church volunteer their time to help give them technology access. I noticed that the military group does need to get some help, but so far it is pretty good.
3. Connections (relate to CSUMB experience)
It will be interesting to see what I can bring to the table as a CSUMB student. I look forward to giving a good impression because I represent CSUMB, not just myself. I look forward to bringing some of the experiences I have at CSUMB to help me with my service learning.
4. Previous Experiences (relate past experiences to now)
I have had good community experiences in the past. I am looking forward to what this experience will have to offer me and I will be able to use some of the things I learned from other experiences to my advantage.
5. Perceptions (reinforced or challenged your perceptions)
The main challenge I will be facing is to figure out how to best serve the site. I want to be able to make it better off than it was when I first started. I hope that I will be able to learn a lot form my site supervisor and help making the military group more efficient.
6. Next week (your plans to better serve or connect to people at your site)
Next week I will be getting familiar with all of the families and I will be creating some new photo cards for new military members that joined the group. I will also be putting those military cards up at the church on the military board.
Journal #2 (March 3, 2010)
1. This week at my site.
I started the database using excel.
2. Observations (regarding power relationship. Equity, and or access to technology)
Access to technology is still pretty much the same. I'm working on the database currently so that should make things more efficient for them.
3. Connections (relate to CSUMB or any experience)
Doing the database has been really helpful. I will be able to use the skills in my actual job at JC Heating because they also do a lot of work on excel and this might be something I can bring to the table.
4. Perceptions (what reinforced or challenged your perceptions)
Everything went very smoothly this week. The only thing that really challenged me was figuring out the tools for the database. I ended up watching a quick video online to figure out how to set it up which was very helpful.
5. Next week (your plans to better serve or connect to people at your site)
Next week I will continue to work on the database. If I have extra time then I will be writing up a letter for the families and military people to send out so they can update their information and we can submit it into the new database.
Journal #3 (March 10, 2010)
1. This week at my site:
This week at my site, I finished the database for the military group. I also started using the database inorder to address letters to the military families so they can update their loved ones' information.
2. Observations (regarding power relationship. Equity, and or access to technology)
The access to technology is still the same, but the efficiency is getting better.
3. Connections (relate to CSUMB or any experience)
The database has still been really helpful using excel. I also addressed a lot of letters so that has helped me a lot for future. I also wrote the letter and it helped for future reference of writing letters in my career.
4. Perceptions (what reinforced or challenged your perceptions)
Everything went very smoothly this week. All I had to do was finish the database and start using it to address the letters.
5. Next week (your plans to better serve or connect to people at your site)
Next week I need to add a few new people to the database and scan their pictures and make the picture cards for the military board in TLC.
Journal #4 (March 31, 2010)
1. This week at my site:
This week at my site I added a few new people to the database and I scanned their pictures. I also started researching where we are going to get all the pictures printed from because we need to get better quality prints so they will not yellow so quickly.
2. Observations (regarding power relationship. Equity, and or access to technology)
Once again, the access to technology is getting better and more efficient. We are starting to figure out a way to get better prints.
3. Connections (relate to CSUMB or any experience)
I have a lot of experience with printing photos, so I was able to bring that experience while I researched for the best place to get prints. I think we have decided to use Costco because it is so cheap to get prints there.
4. Perceptions (what reinforced or challenged your perceptions)
Everything went great this week. My perceptions this week were that sometimes I don't think my leader knows how to do something, but then I'm constantly surpised because she is becoming very crafty with the computer!
5. Next week (your plans to better serve or connect to people at your site)
Next week I will be adjusting the photo card dimensions for all of the members to a 5X7 card so that it will be way easier to have them get printed from Costco.
Journal #5 (April 7, 2010)
1. This week at my site:
This week at my site I started changing all of the sizes for the photo cards so that we can get them printed at a higher quality.
2. Observations (regarding power relationship. Equity, and or access to technology)
I feel like throughout this entire experience I have really become a part of this TLC community. I have been treated fairly and my leader is extremely flexible.
3. Connections (relate to CSUMB or any experience)
While changing the photo card sizes, I had to use adobe illustrator, which I have never used before, so I was really cool to be able to get some experience with it.
4. Perceptions (what reinforced or challenged your perceptions)
This week there was nothing that really challenged my perceptions. I have really enjoyed working in this enviornment and having the opportunity to give back and learn more.
5. Next week (your plans to better serve or connect to people at your site)
Next week I have to adjust a few more photo cards and then I will be ordering them from Costco so that we can get them on the board.
Journal #6 (April 14, 2007)
1. What did you do at your site this week?
This week at my site I had to scan the pictures of the new members and make photo cards for them. I also had to update some of the already made cards because people have been sending in their updated information.
2. Explain what has changed since you started? People? Technology? You?
I have definitely become more tech-savvy from this experience. I also think that the technology of the service learning site has become more efficient becuase they will be able to order the cards online faster instead of having to print them out from a small printer.
3. Are you on schedule?
Yes, I have one more meeting with Karen and that's where I will be finishing up by getting the cards ordered and putting them on the correct walls.
4. Has this turned out as you expected? Are you disappointed, happy, or surprised? Is your supervisor doing what they promised? What’s DIFFERENT? I want to hear about it.
Yes this experience is exactly how I wanted it to be! I loved that I was able to spend more time with Karen and give back into my community. My supervisor is extremely helpful and patient with me.
5. What will you do next week?
Next week I will pick up the new cards and put them together, then I will figure out who needs to be on what board and go to the church to put them on.
