ATA5
In assignment 5, we were tasked with doing five random acts of kindness. We were originally supposed to do these random acts on people we don’t know, but because of recent events with the global pandemic, the task was changed to people we do know since we are all on lockdown mandated by the state. Because of this, I decided to do my random acts of kindness for my mom. The five randoms acts included offering to make coffee, offering to go grocery shopping, buying her Chick-Fil-A, taking over the dishes, and making dinner. Each of these acts were done on different days throughout the week. I learned from this assignment that the things we do for people that are considered “nice” probably should be done occasionally. The assignment asked whether or not enacting these acts permanently everyday would change my life. I feel like if I were to do any thing that is considered “nice” such as making my mom coffee or dinner every day, then it will lose its value of being considered “nice” because if it were done everyday, then it would just turn out to be routine; I would be making coffee or dinner for my mom out of habit. Nice things should be done occasionally and with conscious effort that one is aware of. If I were to compare this to a field or practical setting, people hold doors open for others every single day without conscious thought or being aware that what they did was “nice.” Holding a door open for someone even if its considered “nice,” we normally don’t think about it because it is done out of habit. This assignment was personally relevant to me because it helped me evaluate potential acts of kindness that I can do occasionally for my mom. It also helped me realize that certain things should be done occasionally because it will then lose its value of being called a “nice thing” since it is done out of habit. 
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/doctor-note-social-distancing-coronavirus-200319081547691.html
The reason why I chose this image was because this assignment was affected by everything that is going in our world today. The Corona Virus has affected our lives to where we are all socially distancing ourselves to prevent the spread of the virus. Originally we were supposed to do these random acts of kindness on people we don’t know but instead we were allowed to do this assignment on people we do know since we are on lockdown.
ATA4
In assignment 4, we had to take the Styles of Love questionnaire to determine which style of love best suites us. The questionnaire was a score based system that determines one’s style of love. If one scores higher than the norm for their gender, then they are low on that type of love; if one scores lower than the norm for their gender, then they are high on that type of love. I learned from this assignment that I am the Eros and Pragma style of love because my scores were low which means I was high on these types of love. Eros is a style of love that is based on romance, and being reliant on the honeymoon phase of the relationship. Pragma is a style of love that is based on being practical and realistic. I also learned from the assignment that I experienced both styles of love in different periods of my past relationships, and I feel like I will continue to experience these in future relationships. After writing this assignment, I noticed that I am Eros in the beginning of the relationship; I rely on the honeymoon phase and it can last a long time anywhere from six months to a year, and all is well thinking this is the person I want to be with forever. But eventually I switch over to the Pragma style of love; after some time has passed, I begin to question the practicality of my relationship and begin to be more realistic. I begin to question my compatibility with the person I am with and ask myself do I really see myself in the future with this particular person based on our given situation and differences. An example of this is my recent relationship; I was all in for this particular person when we started dating; even though we were long distance, I was at ODU and she was at JMU, we dated for two years seeing each other during holidays and summer time. I relied on the honeymoon phase for the first year of our relationship. Afterwards for another year, I transitioned to being more practical and realistic; I noticed certain characteristics and traits of her that I overlooked during the honeymoon phase and looked at our current situation and saw that we were growing apart. I certainly enjoyed writing this assignment. This assignment was personally relevant to me because it helped me reflect on my previous relationships, and being aware of these styles of love will hopefully allow me to be success in a future relationship. 
The reason why I chose this image is because it relates to our assignment which discusses the styles of love. It also merges particular styles of love together. However it does not particularly merge Eros and Pragma together which according to the questionnaire those are my styles of love.
ATA3
In assignment 3, we had to watch a video of Michael Richard’s tirade while he doing stand up comedy. He was shouting out racist comments at black people who were supposedly heckling him during his show. We were tasked with determining whether his racial slurs and actions were due to him either being deep seeded racist or because he was aggravated and heated in the moment. I learned from this assignment that there two reasonings behind his actions; he was either racist or he was really mad. I also learned that just because he said all those racist things, it doesn’t mean he is racist. I also learned that only he knows whether or not he is truly racist; we as spectators, cannot determine with one hundred percent certainty that he is racist. We can only determine that his actions were racist. I enjoyed writing this paper because I was able to reflect back to my childhood. I was able to relate this assignment to one of my own experiences. For example, when I was a child I would get mad at my parents for disciplining me; I would call them nasty names and cuss under my breath so they wouldn’t hear me. I would sometimes go to my room and let it all out as if I were cussing a them. The point is imagine if I really did cuss at them; this just meant I was mad in the moment; I don’t really mean it. This is the same case with Micheal Richard. But this doesn’t mean he wasn’t being racist; he was being racist. Just like me cussing at my parents if I did; even if I didn’t mean it, doesn’t mean it wasn’t rude and disrespectful. This assignment was personally relevant to me because I know what it’s like to say something in the moment because of your current negative mood and immediately regret what you said after really reflecting on the situation.
The reason why I chose this image is because the assignment was about prejudice. But it’s also about how one’s current negative mood due to irritation and aggravation can affect their actions and have them say things they may regret.
ATA2
In assignment 2, we had to talk about a collection of pictures and how they displayed our character, how they represented us as individuals, and how we identify ourselves in a social group. I have learned a lot from this assignment, and I really enjoyed writing about my selected pictures. From this assignment, I was able to reflect on my life and what I value and prioritize. It made me realize the importance of belonging especially in a social group. For me, I was able to identify who my true family and friends are; those who will always support me and have my back. I learned the importance of having a social group to support me; especially those who I can relate to. This assignment connected to the readings in the textbook which emphasized the importance of belonging, and as humans, we are social creatures; we need people in our lives in order to have a sense of identity and function properly. For example, I talked in my assignment about a picture of me and my high school track and field team. To me, being a part of that team and feeling like I belong was a meaningful part of my life. I like competition; I needed to be around people who were going to push me to be the best version of myself. I realize right now how I miss that. Being in college and being a full-time student, it’s hard for me to find people to really connect to. But now I know that’s what I need to find. A social group who I can relate to; who will feed my competitive nature.
The reason why I chose this image is because it emphasizes the importance of belonging and identity. As humans, we are social creatures, and we need people in our lives who will accept us and who we can relate to. The fact of the matter is that no one can do it alone. We all need people.