5 = always
4 = often
3 = sometimes
2 = rarely
1 = never
- I acknowledge the presence of another person both verbally and non verbally.
- I support or take issue with what the person says.
- I maintain nonverbal contact.
- I communicate with concern and respect.
- I signal understanding.
- I reflect the other person's feeling as a way of expressing understanding.
- I ask appropriate questions.
- I respond to requests for communication.
- I encourage disclosure.
- I respond directly and exclusively.
1. 2
ReplyDelete2. 3
3. 2
4. 3
5. 3
6. 1
7. 3
8. 3
9. 1
10. 3
I'm not very communicative. In August of this year I will have lived in St. George for a year. All, and I emphasize all of my family and friends are not here. I'm 46 and have had only one girlfriend my entire life. Everybody else my age has children and has had dozens if not hundrends of lovers or they have been married or with someone for decades. Everyone except for maybe the severely physically or mentally impaired and myself of course. What can I say. I'm a freak of nature. A 46 year old sopomore with no clue. I know that I know absolutely nothing. At least I know that now!
I must say how surprised I was when I found out how much some of my friends and certain family members truely missed me. I thought they'd be glad to be rid of my invidious presence! I'm really just a boring person. My idea of a good time is ball games and barbeques. A hike around Zion National Park. Swimming laps in a pool. Reading Stephen King and Neil Peart books. Dabbling in poetry.
I was a preschool teacher for six years, but I was not good at discipline. I learned the hard way you need to set boundaries right away with three to five year olds. Also when your a single man who doesn't date or have a soul mate, people think your some kind of freak. I'll be the first to admit I'm a freak. However, I am an innocuous freak. The first four years I was teaching preschool I was living with my freind Debby and her three children. Most people considered us a couple, but we were just friends. ebby never once introduced me to any of her friends as her boyfriend. "This is my friend Mark......." I must say it was hurtful, but I'm glad were still friends. She lives in Reno with her husband Joe. I visted them last fourth of July. When Debby and I first got together, her daughter Alondra was three. Alondra will be 13 in August. Last year Alondra and I took Irene (my vehicle; a Saturn) and their dog to the outskirts of Fernley Neveda. Fernley is about 30 miles east of Reno. Its where they actually live. Alonda convinced me to let her drive. I pulled over on dirt road, moved the passenger seat and said a silent prayer. I was really hoping I was not making a hugh mistake and taking the risk in harming Irene. Honesty at the time I was not thinking of Alondra's or my safety, or the dogs for that matter.
Wow! Alondra is a great driver. At 12 she is a better driver than many adults. There was only one time when she slightly veered off the dirt road and into some thick brush, which has scared Irene to this day. The only reason Alondra veered off the road was because she turned to look at her dog in the back seat. I calmly instructed her that is is okay and sometimes necessary to take your eyes off the road while driving. Like I was told when I was 15 and learning to drive. "Glance, don't stare." I know now, that Joe must take Alondra out in his truck a lot. I knew Debby would give me an ear ful if she knew I let Alondra drive. Alondra told on herself. I assured Debby that Alondra is a great driver. Debby said, "Alondra scares me when I let her drive."
Alondra said, "Mark is so calm, he doesn't yell, mom you scare me when I drive."
I'm a wordy son of a gun when I write. Theres my comment.