Trying something new

Last week Tuesday, we were put into teams and our assignment was to experience something that is new to us as a group and show the class today on what we learned. Our team all decided that we were not experts at all when it came to baking/cooking so that's what we did. We made Chile Corn Muffins with Chipotle Butter, this recipe is from Sandra Lee on the Food Network website. Kayla M. was our team leader for this project and she did a great job. She planned everything and got everyone on task right away and was very organized. When trying to find a time to meet together it was difficult for a time where everyone could meet. It ended up working out where my other group members met and made the corn muffins and told me about how it went because I was unable to meet with them. Sophie was the one who was influential because she went out and got the ingredients that we needed. Leigh had good technical skills that our group needed because she had the most "experience" with cooking new recipes and Kayla had the human skills because she was able to communicate with everyone and we needed to accomplish. Overall, I think that creativity in Kayla's part stood out by her finding an interesting recipe for us to make. I believe that Kayla was a great leader for this project because she was able to communicate with us and motivate us to keep on task and to finish the assignment ahead of time, instead of waiting until the last minute.

I enjoyed this assignment because I was able to learn something new and also experience a new type of food. Also, with learning new things from other groups it has inspired me to make an effort to learn something new every month.

Decision Making

Another one of our leadership challenges was to talk to three different people about a decision we are going through in our life. I have been contemplating on whether or not to study abroad in 2012 or in 2013, so then I can see my new nephew while he’s still a baby. The one of a different gender told me to study abroad now so because I may not be able to in 2013. He also said that I can always hangout with my nephew for many years to come. When I talked with someone from a different generation, older than I, she said that if she had to decide she would stay home in 2012 and then study abroad in 2013. She explained that she had three children and the baby years are the best and they don’t stay that way for very long. For my last interview, I asked one of my friends on the football team that is of a different ethnicity. When explaining my options he said that it’s an awesome opportunity for both, either way I would choose I go. He’s always wanted to travel abroad but was never able to, but he has two nieces and he loves being able to see them grow up. He told me to think about which one would make me happier and go at it 100%.

After talking with these three different people I have learned that people want to experience different things in life and since I am able to experience both that that’s what I am going to do. I have decided to stay home in the winter of 2012 to be with my baby nephew and help out my sister, and then study abroad in 2013. This way I can be home with my family and experience what it’s like to be an aunt and also be able to save more money and be more financially stable when I do study abroad.