Musical Underwater Tag

Two of the interests presented in my group were swimming and music.  The simplest idea presented was listening to music or singing while swimming.  To elaborate (3) and expound on this idea, this activity can be played as a game.  These interests can be incorporated into a game of swimming musical tag.  The concept is similar to Marco-Polo, but when a player is underwater they have to sing a song as loud as they can in place of saying “Polo” above water.  It could be funny as well as difficult for players of Musical-Underwater-Tag, or MUT, as sound doesn’t travel as far underwater.  The game could also include a guessing aspect.  Upon being tagged the person that was “it” could have to guess whatever song the person they tagged was singing.  If they get it wrong they could have to remain as “it” for another turn.  All of the players will be wearing goggles that you can’t see through so no one can visibly see the other players.  The person that is “it” has to listen to the underwater songs/humming of the other players in order to locate them in the pool.  This game is original (4) when compared to Marco-Polo because the locating aspect of Marco-Polo is conducted, for the most part, above water.  Marco-Polo doesn’t incorporate music or the underwater singing of this game. 

Using Listening Techniques to Gain Advice

This past week I have been trying to determine what I want to see myself doing this summer.  I have been offered an opportunity to start and run a painting business this summer but have also discovered a study abroad opportunity that I am very interested in.  To help sort through this choice and gain advice, I called my dad.  We talked for a long time last night about what he did over his summers in college and what he thought I should consider in the future.  Even though I went into the conversation looking for advice, I tried to focus on my dad and talk with him about what he thought and his past experiences because I feel like he has a lot of personal experiences and knowledge to share. 

During our conversation I [A] asked him to tell me his stories.  I listened to him as he told me about how he had experiences painting over summers between college semesters and what it is like now running his own business in construction.  He also offered a lot of advice towards studying abroad as he was active in college.  By putting my own opinions aside and listening to his past and stories, I was able to learn a lot about what I think I want to do in the future.  I used the technique of [M] mirror, and [P] paraphrase to stimulate discussion.  To avoid getting side-tracked on how classes are going and other aspects of my life, I replied to his statements in a way that would generate more discussion on his part.  I would try to stimulate a continuation on a story he was telling.  I think I was able to do this well during our conversation, and as a result the details grew and I learned a lot from and about my dad that I didn’t know before.

Towards the end of the conversation I used the techniques of Agree and Build to relate my current situation to his past and to show that I understood and can take lessons away from what he told me.  I used Build to show how I can relate to his stories by intertwining our scenarios and Agree to come to a conclusion on what I should focus on.  I feel like I can improve on my ability to use Build as often times this would lead me to rambling about myself, but I feel like with practice this can be improved.  Through the conversation I learned a lot from my dad and have realize that I want to manage a business and innovate in today’s business world, but I should wait for different opportunities or build some for myself.  Painting is not for me, so I have decided to apply for studying abroad this summer and am working on a side project that will hopefully grow in the future.