{"id":25444,"date":"2024-12-13T05:12:37","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T05:12:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eyeweb.in\/newmind\/?p=25444"},"modified":"2024-12-13T05:15:27","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T05:15:27","slug":"defying-gravity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newmind.org\/defying-gravity\/","title":{"rendered":"Defying Gravity"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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By Caitlin Hall, UPP Intern<\/p>

Last Friday I faced a multitude of opportunities: a.) I went to defy gravity for the first-time b.) I was involved with my first event for my internship and c.) I was surrounded by mostly strangers (my age) whose first language was not my own.<\/p>

I drove students both too and back for this event, and this was my first real chance at verbal communications. And it was as I suspected it to be. The three spoke English, all at varying levels, but I had to replace my minor slang for more modern tones of speech. \u201cYa\u2019ll got plans?\u201d, in reference to the weekend, had to become \u201cWhat are you doing this weekend?\u201d. Mumbled explanations of Chinese could be heard in the back of the car. I knew they were trying to figure out how to word their answers. The ride there was definitely awkward-until the top 10 pop hits got on the radio.<\/p>

Besides this, what truly struck me about this night wasn\u2019t about verbal communication-it was our non-vernal communication. In the face of our strangeness to each other (in terms of familiarity) and without a strong basis of shared language we found other ways to talk. We’d jump side by side and we all knew one thing-laughter. We were having fun.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cIt made me feel like when I was little,\u201d Simon Li said, \u201cit was a good feeling at that time.\u201d<\/p>

As students rotated from trampoline basketball\u2013by far the most popular\u2013to other stations, groups formed and everyone enjoyed jumping with friends. Girls threw foam squares to each other and helped others when one of their friends had difficulty getting out of the foam pit. \u201cI can\u2019t believe little kids are jumping so high! They\u2019re so brave to flip themselves in the air!\u201d Ruth Zhao said while she was waiting in line to jump.<\/p>

\u201cThis is also my first time jumping, it\u2019s awesome!\u201d Lei, the UPP photographer intern said.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Lights pulsed and music played. Taking turns, we\u2019d jump into the foam pits, and as my body got trapped in the quicksand like foam they offered their hands to help me out with no questions. Two people pulling my arms, and as I just couldn\u2019t get a good grip (and honestly poor upper body strength) one jumped in to lift up my foot. We helped each other get in and out with the only real noises being simple commands, comments, and laughter. I took my friends camera and they happily would pose for pictures. Unanimous smiles and peace signs were abound.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The ride home wasn\u2019t as awkward. Everyone was tired\u2014and we still didn’t know each other\u2019s full names\u2014but my questions were easily answered this time. \u201cDid you have fun?\u201d \u201cYes!\u201d \u201cWhat\u2019d you like most?\u201d \u201cDefinitely<\/p>

basketball.\u201d The three said in unison. I don\u2019t know what to expect in this internship. I want to improve my intercultural communication, so I come in expecting nothing and always willing to learn. But there is one thing we all can\u2019t over-look\u2014laughter and fun is universal.<\/p>

Together let\u2019s learn more from each other.<\/p>

Together let\u2019s help.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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