Summative Reflection

I discovered that I work best when I’m in a happier mood. I have more to write about and don’t feel as stressed. It’s also better when I take my time so I have more to write about. I enjoy writing while listening to music as well. Whether it is songs with words in them or something like jazz, anything playing in the background is helpful. What’s not helpful, however, is whenever I sit in a comfortable chair. I feel more tired and lazy, especially since it’s the last period of the day. 

My project had changed a lot from the beginning. Originally, I wanted to organize a fundraiser but soon realized that wasn’t going to work because there were complications with that. For example, actually conducting this would be difficult. I wanted to use an amazon wishlist directly that way the items could be sent to the people who need them. I was introduced to this idea by my mentor, but she then soon said that she herself didn’t know how to do it since she took this idea from a peer. The person who she got the idea from was busy and didn’t really answer her emails to that idea was then scrapped. I then wanted to see if I could get some kind of discount from Britta on the water filters but Britta already had this discount enabled in the city of Syracuse so there was no point in that. I was also a bit hesitant to conduct this because I knew it would be harder trying to get a hold of a large cooperation.

I did feel really proud of myself when I figured out my idea, presenting to elementary schools about the issue of lead. That’s what my main focus was, informing people. Even though the plan didn’t get sent into motion due to lack of communication and the time crunch, I still was very dedicated to my work. I have written both the Spanish and English versions and I’m happy especially with the Spanish one. That was a little difficult for me but it was an opportunity to exercise my skills over the course of the years. Knowing that I had the ability to translate into another language so more people could be informed was very meaningful to me. 

Whenever dealing with setbacks, I just took my time to refocus. Thankfully, I didn’t have too many of those. I really moved out of my comfort zone by having one on one zoom meetings with my community contacts. I have no problem talking to adults in person or sending emails but Zoom meetings are  a little harder for me because they feel more personal. I’m glad I was able to overcome this fear, a lot of it was derived from the time we used Zoom meetings for Covid and I remember how anxious I was for that. Now I don’t feel as anxious. I already knew a lot of community experts so I didn’t struggle too much finding people but a lot of the ones I was in contact with were connected so it was kind of easy. A unique experience I had when completing my project was seeing the interactions during the exhibition. There was a certain person who told me he actually worked with lead pipe and in that industry when he was in the city. I got more in depth of how they really affected people and I learned so much, I’m very grateful for that experience.