Campus Event!!

My Campus Event

The day was warm and the sun was beating down on my skin. I thought to myself, “If only I brought my umbrella to shade the sun.” As I walked through the crowd with my boyfriend, Lyle, I found a seat for the both of us on the end of the bleachers. The players of California State University San Marcos Men’s Soccer Team were warming up on their half of the field. On the other half of the field, the boys from Westminster in their purple uniforms were warming up. As I sat watching and comparing the two teams, I leaned of to my boyfriend and said, “Our team’s goalie doesn’t look very good.” He agreed. I was already making assumptions about our team and how they would probably be playing. After about fifteen minutes, a buzzer went off summing the players to their side line. Then an announcer introduced the players of the opposing team, and proceeded with the introduction of our team players. A short time later, the captains of each team walked up to the center field to where the referees were. They then shook each other’s hands and the refs tossed the coin. The Cougars won the tossed and made their decision on who would start the first possession. The game was just about to start. As I sat on the bleacher in the blistering sun, I drew my attention to the field where the CSUSM Cougars were placed on the field. The player in the forward position passed the ball to a fellow team-mate, and the game was underway. To my surprise, the Cougars were doing rather well. I seemed to be more interested in this college level game rather that professional soccer. I was enjoying all the movement of the players rather than when the professionals only pass to each other or hold the ball themselves. The game was very competitive and give-and-take. One team would have the ball then someone would steal it and it would be over turned to the other team. Occasionally there would be a good slide-tackle or an awesome header.

Right when I was starting to get a little bored, our team would inch closer and closer near the goal. Number 10 passed to 15, then 15 passed back to 10. 10 dribbled the ball towards the goal, juked the goalie and shot the ball. The goalie missed it and the goal was made! The crowd was cheering in excitement. At first, I was assuming that we wouldn’t do too well; boy did the team show me wrong. Majority of the time the team was on the offence. When the ball would rarely get turned over, the defense was quick to execute their plays to get the ball out of shooting territory. It was lots of back and forth and passing here and there when I started to lose focus on the game. I turned to look at Lyle and saw that the right side of his face was turning red from the sun’s damaging rays. I laughed at him then he sat on the ground so my shadow would block the sun from his face. The crowd started to grow louder and I could hear spectators cheering for the Cougars. They swarmed closer to the goal. It was getting really exciting when a defender stole the ball back but kicked it up into the air. The Cougars’ number 22 ran up and bounced the ball off of his head. The goalie of Westminster was caught off guard and the ball soared into the goal. My ears were pierced by the screams of the crowd as a shouted in excitement for the team. The first half of the game was almost over. Lyle and I decided that we would leave after the first half.

We left when the first half ended. Even though we didn’t stay the whole time, I was glad that I went to our Men’s Soccer Homecoming game. My overall experience of the game was fun. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the fans and the family of the players. I have never been to a game at the university before, and I was surprised to find that I had a great time. I didn’t by a barbecue ticket, but the food looked great. If I go to another campus event, and there is a food opportunity, I will definitely buy a ticket. I wish I knew the outcome of the game, but I had a good time without knowing the score. Just watching the game was exciting enough for me. 

Polynesian Festival 2012

                               My Cultural Experience

The cultural event that I decided to attend was the Polynesian festival.  There were a few activities that were available that helped express the culture of the Polynesians. What I found most interesting was the warrior dance. Other dances were performed that expressed some culture norms for Polynesians. There was also tribal tattooing. The types of food that were provided were traditional food for the Polynesian culture. I felt that the experience showed many qualities of the culture.

Personally, I had the most fun when I watched the warrior dance. The warrior dance is called a Haka. The Haka is a traditional ancestral war cry, dance or challenge from the Māori people of New Zealand. It is a posture dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment. The dance is also performed with a weapon called a taiaha. The weapons were originally used in battle. Today, the dance is performed to welcome visitors from other cultures to the native land.

Other events that were at the festival were hula dancing and tattooing. Hula was one of the many dances performed. Hula is a dance that puts songs and stories into a visual perspective. In the dance, there are also chants and instruments that help the story. Another event at the festival was tattooing. Though they were temporary airbrush tattoos, they portrayed the tribal tattoos that are used in the culture. I liked that there was a tattooing table because it seemed like many people who attended took interest in the tattoos.

Food was another big part of the festival. Rice was a big part of the entrée served with sweet and sour sauce.  Another food served with the entrée was macaroni salad. My favorite part of the dish was the meat. Pulled pork was served as a traditional meat that Hawaiians and Polynesians eat. The other type of meat that was served with the plate was barbequed chicken. I enjoyed the food that was made and thought it was satisfying and delicious.

I feel that the Polynesian festival was a good way to get other people to experience the culture. I had fun with the music and food and other activities. I liked learning about the types of dances that were traditional to the culture. For me, the best part was the warrior dance because it was loud and exciting with many chants. I also thought that the food was good. Overall I thought the experience was great and I would definitely do it again if I had the chance.

Introduction

HI!
My name is Lauren. I don't have a nick name so call me... Lauren. Let's see, I guess I'm supposed to tell  you about myself. I am currently a Pre-Nursing major but I'm more interested in changing to Kinesiology. Im from around here and know San Marcos pretty well, so for you newbies to the city, I can help you out with things to do, places to go.. all that fun stuff! I love to wakeboard and snowboard and can't wait for desert season to come back! But in the mean time, I'm going to the river for Labor Day weekend. Woo Hoo!

Im taking intro to psychology, intro to Sociology, this class and US government and Politics. If you're in one of those classes let me know if you need a study buddy! :)

In high school I didn't too many interesting things but I played water polo and its pretty fun. You should try it if you haven't. I dont know what else to say about myself.. I love to talk to people and make friends so ya...

Thanks for making it through my post. See you all soon!