Final Blog

I decided to do a final blog because this class was one of the ones that made a huge difference in my life. For starters, I actually learned a lot. That's probably the most overused line, but in my case it's true. I didn't even know about sociology or what it 's about until I took this class. I remember the first day Sal sat in the back of the room completely silent. Different people would try talking to break the silence and I just remember thinking, "isn't he supposed to be in front giving lecture of some sort?" But Sal was different - that was one of the many things I liked about him. From that day on, the phrase, "silence is golden" or "actions speak louder than words" stuck to my mind. I've learned that people don't have to be loud, or they don't have to talk in order for others to hear them. You can just be silent and [hopefully] people will get the message. One of the other things that I remember in this class was the activities. One activity that I enjoyed the most was "abandon ship". A cluster of people were chosen to be put in a mini-boat made from tape. In my case, I was the observer - I got to see how others acted and who was voted off or kept on. This, along with the many other activities in class has made me realize that not everything [or everyone] is what they seem. Like for example, I remember one of the first people kicked off was the writer. Just because they wrote, people thought she wasn't much of a use. This activity reminded me of my own life - to not judge others based on what you see on the outside. I'll admit that when I was growing up, I've run into people I wasn't necessarily fond of. Whenever someone would say something about them, I would automatically go off in a random rant saying how I didn't like them. But one of the many things this class has taught me was to be sociologically mindful. I've learned to accept people for their differences no matter what. We would watch movies or little video clips sometimes and I could relate to most of them. "Tuesdays with Morrie", for example, really hit home for me because I've lost someone close to my heart. That movie has shown me that life goes on - not everyone lives forever; so the best you can do is just move on and remember they'll always have a special place in your heart. One of the things I liked most about sociology was learning and experiencing different things. I remember when we first started the culture unit, I instantly thought of how people would consider me Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. It wouldn't necessarily make me mad, but more so amused because I wasn't those things. The average Filipino has very dark, dark, or somewhat dark skin. However, my dad was born with light skin, so I myself was blessed to have that too. There were times when I kept telling my friends, "I wish I was darker". and I would find myself comparing me to other people. However, the lesson on femininity really opened my eyes.  When we watched a little movie on how girls didn't think they were accepted in their society because of how dark or light they looked, it made me realize that I should be happy with my appearance. So what if I'm not wearing the latest clothes or makeup? So what if I'm not 'fake' like all the other guys I've met want me to be? So what if I'm not popular? It really doesn't matter - and it shouldn't matter to anyone else. I've learned that you should just be happy. I remember moping around sometimes complaining how I don't look like that celebrity in the magazine, but then it hit me: I'm not them. I don't have lots of money or any of the fancy things they've got, and you know what? I'm perfectly fine with that.  Another thing I've also learned to be more sociologically mindful; especially when it comes to high school. These 4 years have gone by so quickly. Although there are some things Id like to fast forward, like for example getting in unnecessary fights with people I never thought I would, I've learned to accept it. During my four years here I wasn't exactly the person to go to when it came to friends. As many of you have read in the previous posts, I wasn't becoming friends with the right people. Others would judge me and not get the chance to see what i was really like. But as time went on, I decided to talk to them on my own and as it turns out, I got them to befriend me. So this is why I like this class - partly because it has made a huge difference in my life and also because it was a class about me. I got the chance to find myself and who I really am. The whole atmosphere and just the people in the class have made me want to strive and become a better person. I will never forget Sociology and what it did for me.