The first and probably most important reflection is that a reflection essay cannot be written in a day. You have to think and come up with the contemplations, which in my case took a few days. Then the writing part comes.
Normally, meeting new people involves nerves for me. On the way to the campus on Friday, I realized something: I was not nervous to meet anyone. I think the blogs helped because it felt like we sort of knew each other. I was worried, despite having similar interests, that I would not click, but there was nothing to worry about because we are all buddies! As my mom put it, we got so close in one week because we were sharing space and ideas. If you are just with people discussing who did this, that, and whatever, you are not as likely to bond as fast. On the contrary, sharing thoughts about a challenging text and getting deep with others results in quicker connecting. Talking beforehand and then diving into tough material together makes for strong friends.
I normally do not like baseball, but I liked the game this time because I felt that it was different from ones I have previously attended. The Biscuits actually won! I have never witnessed that happen before, not to mention twice in a row. I realized I like the sound of bat hitting ball (hearing the crack of the two meeting was satisfying). I also felt like there was more action and more interaction with the spectators. For example, I have never before seen the pitcher try to tag the person at first base out instead of pitching to the batter. Reading the essay beforehand was part of why I had more fun this time. It tied something I like (academics) to something less appealing to me. Then there was the fact it was at night. The time I went before was in the middle of the day in summer so the weather was hot, but it was cool and made for a more enjoyable game. The songs (the Carol of the Bells instrumental rock was my favorite) accompanied the fireworks nicely, which were spectacular. Speaking about sports, the basketball campers never sang High School Musical in the cafeteria. We were not expecting them to (part of it was we never asked), but it would have been really cool. The baseball game was nothing to dread because because of the different aspects that came together to make it enjoyable.
Sometimes plans changing is fine and works just as well as the original. All the girls planned on quitting after a couple of rounds on game night. However, if we are playing a really fun game that we really like, we will play for three hours as opposed to quitting game play after one. I also learned to not mess with Kenzie when it comes to games or projects. I did not realize how long designing one board takes. We might have been there all day if it was not for Kenzie helping direct all of us because we thought it would take one or two hours, not three. The final look turned out great in the end so our wanting to be perfectionists payed off. Because the plans altered, we had fun trying to find secret agents for many rounds and came out of a project with a fantastic board.
Great Summer was one of the best weeks of my summer. The intellectual conversations combined with great friends and fun nighttime activities made for a fantastic week. All the work that had to be done beforehand was totally worth it. Having a discussion over the material was beneficial, especially discussing the confusing parts because as a group you try to figure it out. Someone else might have understood it better or could show the problem in a different way to help out. Also, when the class is involved it can help to stay awake compared to a lecture because more focus is required. Class was more fun because the professors were not just teaching, but when they can get silly and they really delve into the material. A teacher who could not have fun would make for a boring class. The ability to bounce ideas off of each other to discover the truth was and is wonderful.
I was slightly horrified at the thought of writing in the books. The video suggested it, so I gave it a try. I found it easier in the Introduction to Great Books than Till We Have Faces. As a result, Lewis’ book has fewer notes in it. (The notes in the former did help.) I still would not write in all my books, but I have considering doing it for some of them because it does not irk me as much, so it is fine. (I started the process with Red Badge of Courage, but that book needs wider margins). Marking up the pages makes it easier to find the desired text later on.
Great Summer taught me many things outside and inside the classroom. First, is that great friends can be made when you share similar interests and then share life together. The second is that a baseball game can be enjoyable, even if it is not your favorite sport. Third, modified plans can be for the better. Fourth, group discussions can be entertaining and beneficial. Last, but not least, is that writing in books is not a terrible act after all.
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