Myth vs. Reality

Today's meeting was about what we've heard from people around us, that are not always true (myths) and give them the correct information. The meeting went very well. I was so glad to inform these girls, because I know for the most part we were all misinformed and thought many of these myths were actually true. Most o my information was based on an awesome website Ana and I have used throughout our meetings. It's specially just for teens and it's amazing, Stay Teen is the name of this website.  While reading the post on this website, we came across on some information that I thought it was worth the share. ABSTINENCE. Sex, is always a very important issue to talk among young girls because some of us don't feel very comfortable talking to our parents about it. So, since we're all teens we feel secure and comfortable--specially if Ana and I are giving facts to these girls rather than just the worth in the streets. It was a very interesting conversation. 

Relationships. The good and the bad.

Ana and I decided to have a meeting over relationships, and how they can be extremely time consuming and how some can be very harmful. The girls were very interested and they learned a lot. They now know how to deal with relationships that are no longer working and can be bad. Some of the things that the girls said wanted in a relationship with a guy or with a friend were: respect; charisma, communication; trust; physical appearance; someone they can present to family, etc. These characteristics were mention quite often, and they are important in a healthy relationship. Relationships can come and go, but one decides to make them last. We have to learn to let go of unhealthy relationships, it's hard at first, but as time continues new relationships come. "Happiness comes to those who seek it" as one of the videos we watched mentioned. A relationship can never go wrong if there's TRUST and COMMUNICATION. Many things can harm a relationship, but we can always make it work with these two main things.

ZUUUUUUUMBA!

Kori, Ana and I decided to have a fitness day as one of our meetings. Kori volunteered to bring a Zumba DVD and for us to use it as an activity/exercise meeting. Everything went great. The girls were a little timid, but at the end everything was great. They became comfortable and the process went well. This meeting was really important for us. We learned that exercising everyday and drinking lots of water helps your system a lot. It helps if one feels stressed, angry, anxious, depressed, etc. It relieves some of these feelings and it really does help. One feels energetic and less stressed. Our attitude definately changed and we hope that the girls take advantage of this. We thank Kori for providing the DVD.

Ladies of Chinquapin Trailer

Best Meeting Yet

Monday, February 13 was another meeting with the girls. It was one of the best meetings by far, all the girls interacted very well and the conversations flowed very well. To start off our meeting Ana and I showed two clips from YouTube, which were very interesting and made us open our eyes, and realize that reality can be harsh sometimes. We agreed and disagreed with some of the things that the second video showed, but everything was great. The first video was about how little girls are starting to feel uncomfortable with their bodies, and who they are. They are so young and this is happening, it makes you think about us, how we see each other and are uncomfortable with one another.  The second video was mainly messages to us, most were reflections about our everyday life and what we do. We realize that there's other people out there with similar problems like us; we're no alone. Nevertheless, on February 21st, we have a small field-trip to Clear Lake to ride a horse-wagon. It should be exciting. It's sponsored by Girls, Inc. It's such an amazing privilege, and I can't wait to go.

SCHEDULE

There had been some changes into our scheduled meetings. Bill, our principal, wasn't very enthusiastic about having the meetings every week, so now we have the meetings every other week. Ana and I are still working hard in coming up with a redesigned schedule. Most of our meetings, like I have said before are every other Monday. We've had a success so far, about 15 girls have showed up to our meetings. Last meeting we discussed about possible field trips that we can do as a group to be confident about our selves. Our meeting was about self image and how we see each other might not be the same way other people see us. We have yet to over come some of our fears and insecurities, but with time this shall be no problem, and we will all grow as a person. Allison has been such a great help in our meetings, she's so kind and patient. Since she has experience with girls and meetings she knows when there's a little bit of awkwardness in the room. There was an activity we did, which when I had planned it everything went went in my head, but as we proceeded many people were shy and didn't really participate. So, she decided to change the activity and helped us out. I was stiff, I wasn't planning on the activity to go so bad. But at the end everything was fine and we ended up having quite some fun. I guess it's true when they say that you learn from your mistakes. 

Panel

Allison Marek: She’s in Girls Inc. She has helped us in every meeting, guiding us by giving us hints and feedback of how to improve our meetings.

Rosita Waden: Counselor at Chinquapin-- gives us information with things such as psychology.

Susan Davis: Chinquapin faculty member, minored in Women’s Studies, and taught in two all-girls schools.

Kenny O’Donell: Personal mentor. He’s knowledgeable of the things we’ve gone throught o accomplish this project, and has been contacted for some of the meetingswe’ve had; to have a different view of things, not just a women’s perspective.

Bridget Anderson: Chinquapin Board member, and as a women of great experience she willgive us educational insight of improvement.