Anna Boonyanit PACT Reflection 1

So far, I have visited Webster House three times and have performed 50-minute solo piano recitals for the residents each time. Before beginning PACT, I had expected that they would probably have somewhat enjoyed my playing, but definitely not been super enthusiastic about it or anything. Also, I wouldn’t have expected them to remain so quiet during my playing because having played at past senior centers, the audience sometimes would make distracting noises or begin to speak inadvertently. I definitely was in for a surprise. The senior citizens were some of the kindest and most eager audience members I’ve ever seen. They would converse with me before and after I played, saying things like “you made my day.” In fact, after the second time I played here, they even kindly offered to make a small contribution (which I declined). One of the residents, who actually used to play for the Palo Alto Philharmonic which I had soloed with as a sixth grader, donated a beautiful, new piano and asked me to be the first person to perform on it. I think that it wasn’t only the music that they enjoyed, but also the fact that I was young; many older people, I think, enjoy spending time with youth because we tend to be vibrant. Their satisfaction with my efforts left me deeply honored and gratified. Furthermore, I realized the significance of playing in an intimate setting versus a grandeur concert hall. Honestly, my PACT work has been one of my biggest highlights this summer (2015) and has left me inspired to perform in more outreaches.

Blog Instructions

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PACT ENTRIES

Please write TWO blog entries (approx. 250 words each) about your PACT service work. You will write one entry after you’ve completed your first THREE visits to your site and the other entry after you’ve completed all SIX visits. Post your entries to your advocacy’s blog so that your peers can see and comment on what you’ve done.

ENTRY CONTENT

1. Do not waste your 250 words describing how you got to the site or listing inconsequential details about every action you performed while there. Give us the information that matters. Analyze what was going on below the surface of your actions or interactions. Keep in mind the social issue(s) you are trying to solve. Surface-level entries will not receive full credit.

2. Consider incorporating answers to the following questions:

• Before beginning your PACT, you probably had preconceptions about your organization, your issue, and/or the population you were going to serve. What were they, and how did your PACT work challenge those preconceptions?
• Did you discover anything about yourself through your service work? Were you at all surprised by your emotional reactions over the course of your service?
• Do you believe you had an impact through your service? If so, what did you accomplish?

ENTRY FORMAT

At the top of each entry, list the following information. Then, skip a space and begin writing.

Your Name

Date and Time of PACT Visit

Organization Name

Supervisor’s Name

Supervisor’s Contact Information