What a Weekend...

This weekend was much needed.

I slept in until 11:30 on Saturday. Then my fabulous friends and I went down to the lake and cooked hotdogs and s'mores in the fire that Janie built so wonderfully. We threw frisbee and football, and took LOTS of pictures.

It was just what was needed so close to finals week!

Caught between a Pit and a Throne

The media sells us a multitude of different things, some of which cost us money, others of which cost us more important things like self-esteem. The media sells values, images, and concepts about love, sex, romance, success and possibly the most destructive, normalcy. The media our society has created attempts to fit womanhood into a tiny box that can be tied up with a pretty pink bow. The problem is the message they are selling is full of contradictions. Women are to be innocent and sexy, virginal and experienced, opinionated and submissive. And as Jean Kilbourne says, "As all American women over the age of 5 have come to find out, this is tricky." All throughout video games, advertisements, movies, and television, women are shown caught in the middle of the "good girl/bad girl" fantasy.

The interesting thing about this message is that it is nothing new. Women have had to deal with this contradiction throughout history. What has come to be known as the binary ideology concerning women gained momentum during the Middle Ages when women were taught that they were carrying the legacy of both Eve, the "seductive temptress" responsible for the unrighteousness of man, and the Virgin Mary, who has "redeemed" women and all mankind through the virgin birth of Jesus. Both of these women were used to stereotype all women of medieval times. Women as early as the 8th century were completely confused as to who they were and who they were supposed to be.

Another major problem with this image, is that most modern women do not realize they have been contained within this contradiction because it has become so ingrained into our society. Realizing this fact makes the increasing rate of depression among women in America slightly more understandable. The feminine personality traits desired by our society are the same as those listed by doctors as symptoms of the major personality disorders.

This is the very condensed version of the research I have been doing. Here are something to think about concerning the topic.

How does this contradictory view of women affect both men and women in today's culture?
Is it possible that this theory of women has helped to increase the American divorce rate?
What could be done to rework these views on women into a healthier standard?
Who does the change need to start with? Women? Men? Media?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Hopefully it has been enlightening. If you wish to know more email me at mpfeifer@milligan.edu and I can provide more information.

I Wish I Could...

...jump into a swimming pool.
...spit watermelon seeds.
...blow bubbles.
...dance.
...lay on a beach.
...read an enjoyable book.
...eat a Popsicle.
...sleep for hours on end.
...laugh about nothing.
...spend time with kids.
...learn something fun.

But instead, I'm studying for Humanities.

Ms. Pfeifer?

When did this happen? When did I go from Kenzie to Ms. Pfeifer?

Today my friend, Caleb, came over from elementary school to visit Milligan. We were reading From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Which Caleb so observantly pointed out, is an obnoxiously long title for a book.

Before the kids got to Milligan, Professor Bowman handed out name tags for the "adult students." Mine said Ms. Pfeifer. When did the switch happen? Obviously I missed that transformation. I had already told Caleb my name was Kenzie, so I didn't make him call me Ms. Pfeifer (most of all because it weirded me out.)

Our Goodbye Book Celebration went well. We traced Claudia and Jamie's footsteps through NYC and the MET using pamphlets I picked up during my visit with the boy. Even though I'm now apparently Ms. Pfeifer, Caleb still seemed to have fun... and no, it wasn't "teacher fun."

Media Literacy

I spent some time at an elementary after school program today. For my Media Literacy class we are required to teach a group of students 4 hours of media literacy lessons. My group and I are going to be working through an organization called Coalition for Kids. It is an after school program. At the sight we are at there are about 35, 2-5 graders.

We went today to scout out the place. We needed to see where we would be teaching and what there was available to us. There was a slight misunderstanding and when we arrive, the kids were handed over to our control. Quick thinking stepped in and out came a 45 minute lesson on Violence in media. It actually went really well.

There were a few things that were said by the kids today that surprised me. It goes to show the many different parenting techniques used, which brings variety to a classroom. The first thing we started off with was a conversation about our favorite movies, tv shows, and video games. There were a variety of answers ranging from Tom and Jerry to Knocked Up (this one took me by surprise.) Then there was one little girl named Alleah who took me right back to my childhood. Every time another kid suggested a favorite movie or television show, her little hand would shoot up and she would say, "I'm not allowed to watch that show." I felt awful that she didn't have much to add to the conversation, and most of what she did add was put down my the other kids. I finally came up with an area I knew she would be able to help us in:

"Alleah, can you explain the ratings on television shows and movies?"

Her eyes lite up and she said, "I sure can!" and went on a 5 minutes explanation of what G, PG, and PG-13 meant. My favorite description was PG to which she said, "These shows a kid can watch, but only with mommy. That's what mommy said. Only with mommy. I think it's so she can shut it off when it gets to be for mommy and daddy and not me."

I then asked what the word violence means to the kids and where they see violence. The first answer was "on the playground." I then offered up some words, asking the kids to tell me if they were violent actions or not. I suggested pushing, shoving, smiling, and waving. All of these the kids gave the reasonable answer. Then I suggested winking. To this one little boy said it was very violent. I asked why. I was not prepared for the response:

"Winking is very violent because when one guy winks at another guy, that means their gay and I'm going to have to beat them up. And believe me, that would be violent."

Where do you go with that? What do you say? I'm sure this is only the beginning of shocking answers I will receive from kids.

Isn't it amazing how the only people who can leave me speechless are those under the age of 12?

A Visitor

Flat Canyon came to visit me this week.

If you haven't read the children's book, Flat Stanley, it's a must. It not really an amazing story (a bulletin board falls on Stanley while he's sleeping causing him to be completely flat), but it serve a great purpose in the classroom.

My friend, Canyon, sent his flat self to Milligan to visit me for a while. I must say we have had a great time. I can't wait for Flat Canyon to go back to his classroom to tell of all the great adventures in TN.

Wade in the Water

Today is a beautiful day a Milligan College. It is 77 degrees, sunny.... perfect.
AND THEN...


Yep, that's right... a leak coming down to brighten the day all the way from third floor. We live on the first floor. Suite 121 was wading in an inch of water this morning. We caught at least another 2 inches in our trash can. Must have been a long shower up there on third floor.

Just one of those nights..

They don't happen very often, but when they do, they come with a bang.

Someone suggested I watch the music video to SheDaisy's "Come Home Soon." That song is a blatant reminder that I'm not exactly where I want to be. One of the lines in that song is "I'll wait my turn until it's our turn to dance." Patience is not my strong point. Never has been, but boy is God teaching me know. Having patience while maintaining optimism is a huge struggle for me.

While listening to the song for a second time, I decided for a little pick me up. Amos and I have just finished planning my trip to NY this summer. I had finally saved up enough money to buy the tickets, which believe me, is NOT an easy feat. I went to the Skybus website only to find they shut their doors. Mom and Dad had warned me this may happened, but I didn't believe it. Trying to be optimistic I checked other airlines only to find tickets priced $100 more expensive. Pretty rough on $50 a week.

Like I said... just one of those nights.