Research Sources: Student Recreation Complex

My project is going to be done at the Student Recreation Complex (SRC) at Arizona State University on the Tempe Campus. Although there are many other great places to evaluate on campus, I decided to evaluate the SRC because I feel it offers many resources to students. Being at the University can be excruciatingly stressful and many students often need a place to relieve their stress in a positive way, either by playing sports, engaging in circuit training, swimming or taking classes inside. This topic is really important to me because relieving stress, being healthy and fit; are all very crucial in a students’ life. The SRC really helps students, including myself, by offering a place that can provide all of these things. Not only is it beneficial in the ways I previously stated, however it is also an enjoyable place for individuals to relax and enjoy themselves.

Many times people change their eating habits when going to college and their first worry is gaining weight because of their body image and health. In todays society it is quite evident that body image is really important and the SRC also serves as a place to become stronger, muscular, thinner, or whatever it is that someone wants to be. This is quite important because it reflects how people feel about themselves and how they perceive themselves. Students’ should not have to stress about lack of exercise or fitness, or gaining weight on top of all their other worries involving school, and the SRC eliminates that one less stress. It provides students with the tools needed in order to feel better about them selves and become their ideal image.

My plan is to transform this very broad topic into a very detailed evaluation. I plan on evaluating many different aspects of the SRC in order to paint the bigger picture of how important it really is. I want to evaluate the positive effects of physical education and how it leads to better academics and a healthier, fitter body. I also want to evaluate how exercising relieves stress. Aside from its effects, I want to separate different parts of the SRC, such as the outside field, the pool, the rooms for classes, the weight room and the exercise machines. I want to describe the purpose of these different locations are and how there is something to do at the SRC for many different people of different taste. 

I found three sources that will help me with project two and evaluating the Student Recreation Complex. The first two are books and the third is a scholarly article. All three of my sources deal with the idea that fitness is very important in order to have a healthy lifestyle. The second source is quite different because it related more to pool exercises. All of these sources interest me because they will help inform me more for my project.

Cundiff, David., Brynteson, Paul. Health Fitness: Guide to a Lifestyle. Hunt Publishing Company. 1985. 252-299. Print.

Gibson, Terry-Ann Spitzer. Water Aerobics for Fitness and Wellness. Australia; Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. 2003. 160. Print.

Nakamura, Y; Kikuchi, H; Oka, K; Ota, A; Miyauchi, T. (2006). Stages of Change of Exercise Affects Health Related Quality of Life.
International Journal of Sport and Health Science. 67-73

Evaluation: Gossip Girl

        The well- known television series Gossip Girl has been providing entertainment for millions of viewers worldwide since 2007. Not only has it been airing for quite some time now, however it is still just as exciting as episode one. It is on its final season; Season six is scheduled to air on Monday October 8, 2012 on the CW Channel at 9/8c. This television drama is based on the books written by Cecily Von Ziegesar and is directed by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Salvage. It takes place in Manhatten in present time. The show stars various wealthy, beautiful individuals who are seen as the “popular kids”, all attending the most prestigious high school. They live their luxurious lives with limo drivers, big fabulous parties, and beautiful clothing. One might ask, what could possibly go wrong? The answer to that is Gossip Girl. Gossip Girl played by Kristen Bell; plays the third person omniscient. She is never seen in any episode, nor is her identity ever revealed. She is a mysterious character running a blog informing everyone about everyone’s business, drama, and secrets. People are constantly sending her information via text in order to tell her about the juiciest secrets and rumors going around. The show also stars Blake Lively, portraying the role of Serena van der Woodsen and Leighton Meester, playing the role of Blair Waldorf. The drama begins when Serena has come back into the city. She had been gone for quite a while now and nobody knows where or why, nor does anybody know why she came back. Amongst all of the people wondering is also her ex best friend, Blair. As Serena returns, Blair finds it her mission to make Serenas life miserable and to find out why Serena left in the first place. Serena holds many secrets that unfold throughout the series, which affect many others and tear everything apart. Amongst all of this drama there is also a love triangle between Blair, Nate Archibald (her boyfriend) and Chuck Bass (Nate’s best friend) that is revealed. It is a show filled with rich kids struggling with their daily dose of drama, dealing with friendship, affairs, sex, love, family and money. All of it is for the world to see as Gossip Girl reveals their deepest secrets to everyone. Each character plays a very distinct, unique character that provides so much thrill and excitement in the show. This show will leave you on the edge of your seat, always asking for more. It takes so many twists and turns, leaving you wondering what will happen next. Every episode is a “cliff-hanger”, making it unpredictable to know what will happen next. Unlike many shows that do not make it even past one season, gossip girl has been very successful in providing various seasons and much excitement to young people all over. 

Project 1 Reflection: Brainstorming

        I found this project to be a lot harder than I thought it would be. Brainstorming ideas was probably one of my biggest struggles, as well as really understanding the concept of the assignment and really knowing what I had to do. At first, I found myself completely clueless on what I was doing and my first draft was completely wrong. My first draft only described the physical features of the Devils Diner, however I soon learned that my paper was supposed to describe the Devils Diner using the lens. Once I figures out the whole “Lens” concept, I continued to struggle in my thought process and in how to put my ideas onto paper into one big essay that made sense. I constructed several outlines to gather my thoughts but I constantly found myself not knowing what information to put into which paragraph. Structuring my paper was definitely the most difficult paper and so was coming up with the right amount of words because at some point I felt I had said everything I had to say and I was at a loss of words. I had to figure out a way to add more sentences to it and that was pretty difficult too.
        I think I did a good job on trying to figure out what the concept was when I really did not know. I did attend the workshop on the Thursday before the paper was due and discussed my questions about the paper with Professor L. and that was extremely helpful. I felt more confident in what I was writing and I had more ideas gathered together for my paper, as well as a better understanding of what was expected from my paper.
        I will admit I did learn a lot from this writing experience. I learned a lot about the way people perceive things and that things are not always “Black and white”. I had never taken the time to look at a place so deeply and that really changed my outlook on the way I now see places. Although I still have a lot more to learn, I did improve the way I organize my thoughts onto paper.
        I am still not certain if I did reach the deep analysis that was expected of me to conclude with, however I did try my best to do so. I reread my paper several times in order to come to a conclusion and I felt as if it was quite evident what my conclusion should be, however it could have been something deeper than my conclusion so I cannot really say if I did reach the conclusion I needed to reach. I do not know many ways I could improve my writing or conclusions for the next time, however I do feel that if I had attended more workshops and have discussed the project more with Professor L., then maybe I could have had an even better understanding of it all and a better conclusion. 
        I am not sure how I can apply any of this work outside of Arizona State University however there are several things I can take from this writing assignment to help me within ASU. It has definitely helped me become a better writer, analyze places more and become a deeper thinker. Most importantly, it has helped me ask questions and not be so embarrassed to admit that I do not understand an assignment.

Project 1: Observation Notes

Project 1: Observation Notes (Palo Verde Main, Devil's Diner)

• Always crowded, especially late at night. (I'm assuming that's when everyone gets hungry)
• It has an old 70's feel to it.
• On the outside, at the very entrance it has big, red lights that read, "Devil's Diner."
• Blue skies are painted on the wall behind the lettering.
• Under the title is the bright red door, with metal on the bottom
• There are three windows to the left and right of the door.
• The square windows are outlined with shiny metal.
• The last windows on each side have posters that display the different types of meals available.
• There is metal under and on top of the windows
• Once stepping foot inside the diner there are two white trashcans on each side
• The line is straight ahead, sometimes making its way all the way to the door
• Straight ahead is the cash register where orders are taken, there is a sign that reads, "Order Here."
• To the right of that sign is a, "Pick-Up Here."
• On top of both of those smaller signs there are five large signs
• The first sign says, "Meal Exchange."
• The second, "Meal Exchange Options."
• The third, "Breakfast."
• The fourth, "Snacks & Drinks."
• The fifth, "Grill & Sweets."
• Facing the register, to the left there is a modern looking jukebox.
• The jukebox is made out of metal and light colored wood.
• Next to the jukebox there is a blue recycling bin, it is rectangular with a square hole on top.
• On each side of the diner, parallel to the student line, there are two booths.
• Next to the booths are three tables on each side as well.
• At the entrance of the room, leaning on the wall there are also two counters on each side.
• Each counter has four chairs that are attached to the floor, they are lifted up on metal poles.
• All the tables, booths and counters are different shades of gray with tiny dots that are black.
• Diagonal to the, "Order Here," line there is another counter with the fountain drinks.
• It is a big square made of metal and with a red banner that says, "Coca- Cola."
• In the middle is the ice cube dispenser, and there are four drinking options on each side of the ice.
• Around the corner of the fountain drinks, there are condiments. (Mayo, Ketchup, Mustard, Ranch)
• Each table has a rectangular napkin dispenser with ads on the side.
• All the chairs are red with silver lining.
• The side booths have  teal light fixtures coming from the ceiling, hanging by a white cord.
• The lights look like rectangular funnels with bulbs inside.
• In the center of the room where the tables are located there are six flat, rectangular lights built into the ceiling.
• In between the rectangular lights there are also two white, old-looking fans.
• Next to the cashier there is a white door with a medal handle with a white sign that says, "Employees Only."
• There is also one more counter under the, "Pick-Up Here," sign with six of the chairs that are attached to the floor just like the ones at the entrance.
• At the end of that counter there are two more condiment dispensers. (Hot Sauce and Barbecue Sauce)
• The floor has white square title, with occasional red and gray squares. There is some type of odd pattern.
• On the wall, there are two bright lines painted around the whole room horizontally that are red and green.
• The room is a little nippy.
• The diner is usually loud, a little chaotic.
• There is a feeling of relief in the diner because it is time to eat and just relax.
• Everyone is talking, laughing and enjoying themselves.
• There are employees yelling out order numbers and people running around to get their food.
• There is music from the jukebox.
• It is a positive place because of the great environment, the great food and the great vibes going around.

An Analysis of an Image: Demi Lovato on Cosmopolitan Magazine

           Demi Lovato highlights, “Cosmopolitan,” magazine wearing a sexy, bright and revealing dress. She is looking gorgeous from head to toe, as well as looking confident and strong. Her long hair is wavy and radiant, her make-up is neutral and her diamond earrings are enormous. Miss Lovatos skin is glowing and her smile is fascinating. Her tightly fitted, yellow dress really emphasizes her curves, including her breasts and her hips. 

            The magazine cover captivates readers with seduction and sex. Miss Lovato shows off her curvaceous body in order to look sexy and confident for the readers. The magazine focuses its audience to range from young adults to older women. It really emphasizes the need to feel beautiful and in todays’ society, many women are inclined to believe that tight fitted clothes, make-up, diamonds and loose hair are what make a woman good-looking. Just by glancing at the cover, it is obvious the magazine wants other women to look at this and want to have a more positive outlook on themselves by looking more like the individual on the cover. The first thing women are going to do when looking at the cover is compare themselves to Demi, whether it be their hair, eyes, smile or even their skin.
            Why is it that women constantly have to be comparing themselves to women on magazines? All women are lovely and although Demi looks exquisite on the cover, women need to take into consideration that the cover has been photo shopped, edited and has been taken by professionals with professional equipment. The people found on magazine covers are ordinary people just like me and you who have been pressured to look a certain way, and have been transformed into what the photographers, make-up artists and styling professionals think is, “Beautiful.”
            The photo clearly represents what American women and men find attractive or find acceptable. It is more than just a photo or a magazine cover because it represents society and the opinions of people. I’m not saying this is a bad or a good thing, however I am saying that this is showing us what the, “Ideal Image,” looks like. 

    

                

                                                                 Work Cited

Lovato, Demi. "Cosmopolitan." July 2012. Cover.

Word Count: 356