Dancing Without Judgement

Dancing Without JudgementIn the Motion IV class, our focus was on rhythm and spatial orientation, using the influences of African tribal music as our avenue. We were given a handful of dancing exercises (highs and lows, mirroring, moving during different counts of a beat) to weave into our dance exercise for the day. My group consisted of 2 healthcare professional students, 1 senior and 1 dance student. With much guidance from our dance student, we were able to figure out a piece that we all liked and felt represented us. At first, everyone (but the dance student) was confused about where to start or how it would all play out. Once we worked together and communicated what moves we needed to work on, everything started feeling like it fit in place and everyone understood their role in the piece.

I liked hearing all the ideas the group had to contribute to the dance. One thing I noticed that I liked about our senior was she was very outspoken when she was unclear of what we were doing, because I would be unclear too and was a great reinforcement and encouragement for myself to ask for help when I needed it as well. During the rest of the group exercise, I was able to feel more comfortable and I could feel everyone did as well and it was a great moment to be able to be free and dance without judgement. At the end of the class, our senior shared with everyone how the class reminded her when she was in the Peace Corps in Africa (can’t remember the country) and how she was invited to the village’s traditional dance and was encouraged to participate in it. While I feel like the media likes to focus on aging with negative stereotypes, hearing her story combated that. Throughout her life she was able to have unique experiences that helped shape her views on the world, ability to interact with people who are different than her and provide care to the community. I think that is an admirable and important quality to have, especially within healthcare that I feel younger generations, including myself, has yet to go through, but can learn from by hearing these stories being passed on.

Kalyann Kauv, graduate student in Pharmacy

Thinking of You

Thinking of YouEach week Anne and I spend more time together, I realize how great of a friendship we have developed. Painting portraits of each other this week truly exemplified how much fun we have together attempting to make art, even though we both typically excel at stick figures, and being able to laugh about it with ourselves. Before beginning our projects today, she told me a story that really touched my heart and showed me how our meetings have impacted each other’s lives. Anne recently had surgery and was concerned about taking her pain medication that was for post-surgery pain with other medications she was currently taking. She said she was worrying a little over how she would figure out what to do and contemplated just not taking anything at all, when she thought of me and how a pharmacist could be a quick and easy way to ease her mind. She talked with her local pharmacist and all was resolved. It was so nice to hear that getting to know each other and talking about our lives (ie. my career goals in this instance) really made an impact on her everday life. It amazes me how great of a fit Anne and I are for each other and have really grown to become friends who think about one another outside of just our Sunday meetings. I hope we continue to stay in touch once this program is over.

Jennifer Walters, graduate student in Pharmacy.

Friendship Formed Over Art

Friendship Formed Over ArtOver the past couple of months my PAL, Gil Green, and I have been forming a lasting and true friendship. I become more eager and excited to see and spend the day with him each class period. Today was no different. We bonded over telling stories and catching up on our lives. He told me about work and up coming trips he plans to take and I filled him on school and spring break. And then while we worked on our vases, I learned that he plays the violin and enjoys trying and eating different ethnic foods. And I shared with him my love of the ocean while he helped me put together my vase. The art gives us an outlet to express ourselves while enjoying each other’s company and getting to know one another. We are able to share our lives and have found we have a lot in common. With things that we do not share, I have come to value his insight and knowledge and enjoy learning from him. Our friendship and time spent together is natural and sincere. Gil has become a good friend and I enjoy our Sunday’s together. We have bonded over art and overcome any generational difference to become an unlikely but sincere pair of friends which I hope will last beyond the course.

Taylor Lansing, graduate student in Pharmacy