After interviewing victoria i gathered more information for my le2. Some of her replies to my questions did not support my thoughts... but it's good getting someone else's perspective. not everyone thinks alike. I also got lots of information from the library for my research topic which is body language. At first i was having trouble finding information but now i got a ton! it's a very interesting topic.

we have observed and gathered many notes, now it's time to write our le 2. After meeting with kristin and discussing different topics to do research on, i chose to begin researching body language. This is definatley something that we all use whether we know it or not. We express our thoughts through our motions and gestures without even knowing it. I want to research a little bit more because it is something that interests me and i believe it will be interesting to read about.

Overall Starbucks provides a pretty cozy area for multiple tasks. Most everyone is doing either homework, talking with friends, sleeping or on their computer doing whatever they please. Of course there are people drinking coffee too. Nothing I have observed so far is out of the ordinary for a Starbucks. I think so many people chose to go to Starbucks for a plethora of things because they feel comfortable there. It is a place that provides all sorts of things for any of your needs. For example... plugs in the walls so you can plug in your computer or any other device. Tables and chairs cause no one wants to stand while doing homework or trying to sleep! There are even specially designed chairs with little desktops attached to place your laptop or notebook on. No one really has to bring anything except for a friend or maybe their backpacks full of homework.

This time We observed the people and interactions. From their apparel, physical features and interactions each person proved to be unique in their own way. Firstly, Since I observed on valentines day, there weren't very many people there. Hmmm... Anyways, The first thing I noticed was a girl sitting at a table with her labtop. She was sitting straight up with her fingers perfectly placed over the keys. Her eyes were sort of... bulging?? for lack of better word. Yes, they were so focused on her computer screen that they were sort of bulging! She had long brown hair and a pointy nose. She was dressed in jeans and a hoodie. Her pants, scrunched up because she had her legs crossed, showed her festive mood with valentines day socks. They were all different shades of pink with that argisle pattern.

There was a guy and a girl sitting together. They both bad coffee and I never saw them pick up their cups the whole time I observed them!! I think they are co-workers in the student center because I see her walking in and out of her office right by the computer lab. They talked about traveling and places they have been. They discussed how they both liked to fly. Both were dressed with nice dress pants and shirts. She had a short bob, while he had a sort of scruff that he would every so often grab while listening to her talk. She was much more open and used her hand while talking while he was more reserved, sitting with his arms crossed.

The baristas were once again talking loudly. They were smiling, joking and laughing alot. They were all wearing the same black pants, black shirt, green apron and sporting the starbucks hat. Although they all looked the same, their laughs, tone of voice and use of words were distinguishing. One guy in particular was very loud while calling the drinks while another petite girl would gently lean over to give the order. Their conversation was all over the place! Mostly just joking around about random things. Occasionally asking, "do we have this? or that?." I think they had a new worker there because he was unsure where to find things.

One guy came and sat by me. His clothing consisted of a long black trenchcoat, black shirt and tie and black pants. He wore glasses and was carrying a kind of girl bag.Through his silver rimmed glasses I saw his oriental eyes, tired and worn. He sat in a comfy chair and rested his eyes while listening to his ipod.

After observing this time I had quite a bit more notes than my first observation. My findings were a lot more specific and detailed. I was trying to just stick to observing the flow and the layout of Starbucks, but I couldn't! I kept taking notes on all the people I was noticing.

I observed around 4:00 and it wasn't crazy packed but there were definatly some studious people. Well, I don't know how studious they were being, but they sure did look like it. They were sitting at their desks staring at their computers, books and papers. Funny, because not one of the people i saw studying actually had a starbucks coffee. It seemed they were there specifically to finish up work and head into the weekend full force! Although there were people studying, the atmosphere around the place felt a little more relaxed. The starbucks baristas made it feel more relaxed because they were laughing and having fun. They were being quite a bit louder than they probably should have been but I didn't mind. I wasn't trying to study though.

I have been to the student center Starbucks and I never thought much about the layout. But after studying it I think I have a better understanding of it's architechture. It located upstairs and over looks the tables below. The huge glass windows overlooking the pond also provide scenery. I believe this area is called a mezzanine. Beginning at the 3 sets of double doors I walked past the computer lab, quiet as usual, then past the crafting table decorated with campus brochures. I continued toward 4 comfy chairs and a small couch. Then, I walked through the actual starbucks. This entailed the small counter with milk, cream and sugar, the window of delectable desserts, a cash register, a couple friendly baristas and the table where you can pick up your drink. Then it's either around the corner to head towards the study rooms, down the stairs to visit the bookstore, or just simply off to the comfy chairs (which is my favorite area!!)

This may sound silly, but this is my take on the layout. The flow is very relaxed and kind of curvy if that makes sense. Yet, the chairs are aligned all in a straight row against the edge of the mezzanine. It's almost as if the flow of the place is meant to be relaxed but each desk aligned in a severe fashion is strictly meant for studying! The comfy chairs and couches are added for a destination of relief and conversation between friends of all ages. Like is said before and I'll repeat, this place is multidimensional!! I am noticing things that I never have noticed before. It's sort of interesting.

I was first interested in observing family life, particularly children and their interaction with their siblings. I decided to go in a different direction and observe the Starbucks in the student center. I often go there to get some time to myself, maybe to study, sip coffee with some friends or just sit and do nothing. I think this will be an easier topic for me to touch on because it is easily accessible since it is on campus and there is plenty of room for me to observe. Plus, I like the environment there.

After jumbling up my notes from my first 2 observation dates I came to the conclusion that the starbucks at the student center is a multidimensional place. It's not just a place that provides relaxation for commuters while waiting for their next class in pray-harrold or Mark J. It is a place that provides couches, tables and chairs and a warm cup of your favorite whatever! It is a place for friends, focus and frolic. haha, frolic.

I decided to go around 1:00 on Monday to see what the environment was like at that time. (I will also go early in the morning and in the evening to see it's transformation around the clock). While observing I was offered some candy by a guy named Derek. We got to talking and he explained to me that he hand out candy every Monday afternoon at the student center and tries to get people involved in playing games, meeting others, discussing politics and even watching a 3:00 movie in the auditorium. I had observed the few people participating. They were throwing around a beach ball with random questions written on it. Every time you were thrown the beach ball you had to read a question on it and answer it. The questions were just simple like: what is your favorite color? Where is your favorite vacation spot?

This was the most outspoken thing I observed. As for the sounds, tastes and smells. Well, that was probably my favorite part of this whole thing! Before actually sitting down I stood in line for a few minutes (there never isn't a line at starbucks!) to order my favorite drink, a chai tea latte made with soy (i'm lactose intolerant). The person at the register wrote on the cup exactly what I had ordered and passed it on to the girl who made it. She steamed the milk, and added the chai whatever stuff. It was delicious!

So as I sat sipping my latte, I got down to observing! Firstly, I had noticed the group sitting passing around the beach ball. I also saw a few people sitting at the tables with their laptops. One girl looked as if she was working on a paper of some sort, and a guy was multitasking between Facebook and Myspace, pausing to check his emich account. I felt like a bit of a stalker watching what these people were doing.

I moved to the other side of starbucks (closer to the stairs) and sat with a few older women. They weren't really working on anything, although they had some books out. They were more so talking to one another, laughing about home matters and their children. It was honestly interesting listening to them. They were kinda funny. This actually got me thinking. I think it is really intersting how over the years our conversation changes. I can remember always gossiping when i was in middle school, now with my friends I hold conversations about serious relationships, college, and careers! interesting huh?

I have many more notes but these were the things that I had noticed first. I gotta save stuff to blog for next time too!

Our next assignment is to observe a community. While thinking about what I may want to do, I found a few communities that sparked my interest. 1. the family community. Maybe explore how family life has an impact and make each and everyone their own unique person. 2. the beauty community. Watching others creativity go to your head (literally!). 3. The cancer community. Experiencing with others in struggles and triumphs and looking at what their support groups entail.

All of these are very different in their own way. The topic that brings about the most curiosity to me is observing the family community. Since my family life has really created me to be a unique person, I would like to explore how others experience create them to be who they are. To be more specific, I know that having two older brothers has made me to be a very outgoing, layed back person, not afraid to talk about those "guy" things. I have many question such as: "how are girls who don't have brothers different?" or "Does being an only child or having sibling have a great impact on our personalities?" and lastly "Is there a personality difference between the first born, middle or baby of the family?"

I think that observing and interviewing could potentially be a touchy subject. People may not want others observing their family life or how their children behave. I think "well maybe if I observe close friends and family they wont feel self concious." The problem with that could be a bias to that family. I may not observe them as I would another family because I know and unerstand each family member's behavior. These are all kinks I need to think about. Maybe even change my subject over. I am not sure. Nonetheless, My creativity is flowing :)