Skating Across the Comfort Zone

     In our lives, we are not only just an insider or an outsider, but both. To certain places and groups, I am an insider and to several others, I am an outsider. Possessing both of these qualities allows a continuous cycle of introducing and sharing ideas and experiences with one another. This leads to an impact on our identities along with places.      The ideas of being an outsider in a space resonate with me because throughout my life I have always stayed within my comfort zone, never going out of my way to explore new places and meet new people. The several places and events that my friends are familiar with, I am an outsider to. Places deemed typical and normal, like the ice rink. I didn't mind being an outsider until now. Until I've read texts about being imprinted by place and having an impact on place. This idea that I could leave my trace or a piece of myself at place was strange to me and I wish to express my individuality to the places I feel encouraged to visit,

During the Unit 2 assignment, I will be encouraged to encounter differences. This Unit requires a push towards crossing borders and boundaries in order to engage with unfamiliar spaces or events. Spaces that possess differences including practices, behaviors or discourses. As an outsider, it requires overcoming a sense of unfamiliarity or discomfort in becoming knowledgeable on a space. Analyzing and developing an understanding of the space are necessary in building a guide that will be beneficial for my readers to navigate that space.

     I love listening to music all the time. I also love art, fashion, and photography.      Taking this class so far, I've learned that this class encourages me to think outside of the box, and teaches me to read and write analytically. The work can be time-consuming but it pushes me to improve my time-management skills along with my reading and writing skills.      Through this new unit, I hope to have built some kind of connection and admiration to the place or event I will choose. I hope that I can adapt the level of confidence I need for this unit and apply that to my life whenever I want to become an 'insider' to unfamiliar yet, interesting places. I also hope to improve my communication skills with strangers considering I will have to interview people in this unit.