James Carrington

This summer has been a blast so far.  I have one week left of SPAN 2010 and I have loved the professor and the way she teaches (a mi me gustan la profesora y su estilo de instrucion).  I have kept busy with this class (12 hours a week) and my continued service with Connect2Health.  Another great learning experience I have started this summer is working on a research project with a doctor at Primary Children's Hospital.  We have been working on creating a survey, so I have learned how to use RedCAP (an online survey and data collection tool).  In addition to learning the basics of RedCAP I also got to learn a little bit about programming in order to allow the survey to be more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.  Today I also got to learn another program that the hospital uses called EPIC.  I don't have an EPIC account, because my current position doesn't require it, but it was awesome learning to use the tool that doctors, social workers, and case worke...

A few weeks ago I trained to be a bartender at Olive Garden.  I was excited to be training under another member of the LDS church.  Being a server at Olive Garden has been difficult to recommend alcoholic drinks especially when I have no idea how they are made.  Being a bartender has increased my knowledge of food and drinks served at the restaurant.  More important than the opportunity to learn to make new drinks has been the opportunity to serve not only the guests who come in, but also the servers.  Bar tending has increased my skills to multitask as I have had more tasks to do (typically at the same time).  I am no longer restricted to helping only three tables of guests, but during the busy times of the day I get to balance five tables, with a bar top while making drinks for the whole restaurant.  It is challenging my skills to develop personal guest connections in a more restricted amount of time and is allowing me to develop skills for setting g...

Contemplating on the past week or two I have realized the importance of planning ahead.  In my Medical Humanities class we have been working on an exhibit for the Marriott Library.  Much of the material was due two weeks before the exhibit began.  The reason for this early due date was to ensure that the materials were printed and that there was time to assemble the exhibit before opening day.   Another example of the importance of planning ahead is looking towards upcoming commitments.  Over the summer I need to serve 7-8 hrs a week with Connect2Health, attend 13 freshman orientations, take SPAN 2010/2020, and continue working.  This meant that I was communicating with the director for undergraduate studies the moment I found out that I was offered the position of Peer Mentor for next year's Block U: Medical Humanities course.  I am still working out the finer details, but it feels nice to have communicated my commitments so that I can participate in ...

Today during a training on professionalism and salary negotiation I was reminded of a time about a month ago when I locked my keys in the car.  I was ready to get back into my apartment and had my hands full.  As I approached my door I realized I didn't have my keys with me.  Hastily I went back to my car to discover my keys lying on the passengers seat.  Normally, I wouldn't be too concerned about the dilemma, but after having my bike stolen in this area previously I knew I had to do something about it.  I searched up UTube videos to help, but nothing seemed to be useful enough.  Finally, I swallowed my pride and called a company to help me out.  I was quoted $50 or more.  To me that was too much, so I called another company which quoted $55 and up.  I decided to go back to the first one.  After waiting 45 minutes for someone to show up, he quotes me $135.  Outraged I call back the company that sent him and explained the miscommu...

Theater, acting, and media are key to accessing the cracks of humanity.  Today I was able to watch these situations unfold in two different perspectives.  The first was as I attended the Pioneer Theater production of King Charles III.  This plot examined the way British government works, but also played into the cracks of when it is or is not appropriate to stand up for what one feels is right in their conscience.  King Charles III was strict with his belief in free press and his persistence in sticking with what he felt was right led him to crowning his son William the next king after his mother's passing.  There were many modern connections including the life a teenager wants to live verses the responsibilities adults put on their children to mature. The other media I participated in today was watching the new production of Beauty and the Beast.  It was interesting to see the way that the different characters were portrayed.  Guestan was very self ...

Participation has been was a huge key of my success in High School and I am currently working on becoming more involved at the University of Utah.  Last semester I focused all my service hours with Connect2Health at the 4th Street Clinic here in Salt Lake and learned a lot about how the front desk area works and also how the health care system works for those who cannot afford it.  I have learned about many of the resources in Salt Lake and organizations that are striving to end homelessness.  What constantly amazes me is that these individuals are both content with their life and are looking for a change.  People need help, and it is difficult for many people to ask for it, but Connect2Health gives a great opportunity for people to reach out to them offering to help.  Many of the organizations here in Salt Lake strive to help those that are in most need.  These organizations are the backbone of meeting the basic needs of those in poverty.  However, th...