This past Sunday, I went to go see Kung Fu Panda 2 at the Ferg Theater, and it was definitely time well spent! I got free food, great entertainment, learned something I never would have before, and I got to get to know a new friend.
First off, I stopped by at 4 o’clock to see what the matinee showing was all about. Walking up, there was a whole line of families making their way into the theater, picking up all kinds of yummy goodies to snack on. (I’m talking chips, and candy, and chocolate, and Capri suns and probably food I missed out on because it was already gotten by the early birds!) As is turns out, the matinee showing was working in conjunction with the Graduate Parent Support program, or GPS (http://www.gps.ua.edu/).
The GPS is a program here at UA that was started for graduate students who had kids, and the program now works with any UA student who has a child or children. GPS has the scoop on a whole bunch of parenting help, support, and advice. And on top of it all, they provide great opportunities, like a matinee showing at a time when kids are awake, for these UA families.
Now, I’m honestly not that big on making my business everyone else’s business (not that I won’t answer any question any random person asks me), but as an expectant mother myself, learning about the GPS program could not have come at a better time for my husband and me.
For the 8 o’clock showing, the movie got moved outside to a giant blow-up screen in the plaza. Not only did all of us who went get to enjoy the movie and free popcorn (made on-site!), but also the open air and nighttime breeze. AMAZING.
The movie was even better watching it this second time around. It was also really nice getting to know my fellow Team Ferg blogger, Tiara. I don’t know what it is, but it seems like a lot of people stop making friends after freshman year. We find a few people who we get along with and we stick to hanging out with who we know and doing what we know we like to do with them. So, here’s my little soap box for today—CHANGE IT UP!
I know it’s a little cliché, and awkward, and uncomfortable, but it’s almost always WORTH IT! I have not made a new, good friend since my freshman year, no lies, and I can honestly say it’s likely because I stuck to my routine and didn’t give new people half a chance. Just checking out things on around campus and not bringing along someone I already know to cling onto has given me great opportunities for new friendships. And what could it hurt?
So, thanks GPS for teaching me something new, Tiara for the possibility of a new friendship, and the Movie Series, the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five for bringing it all together!
First off, I stopped by at 4 o’clock to see what the matinee showing was all about. Walking up, there was a whole line of families making their way into the theater, picking up all kinds of yummy goodies to snack on. (I’m talking chips, and candy, and chocolate, and Capri suns and probably food I missed out on because it was already gotten by the early birds!) As is turns out, the matinee showing was working in conjunction with the Graduate Parent Support program, or GPS (http://www.gps.ua.edu/).
The GPS is a program here at UA that was started for graduate students who had kids, and the program now works with any UA student who has a child or children. GPS has the scoop on a whole bunch of parenting help, support, and advice. And on top of it all, they provide great opportunities, like a matinee showing at a time when kids are awake, for these UA families.
Now, I’m honestly not that big on making my business everyone else’s business (not that I won’t answer any question any random person asks me), but as an expectant mother myself, learning about the GPS program could not have come at a better time for my husband and me.
For the 8 o’clock showing, the movie got moved outside to a giant blow-up screen in the plaza. Not only did all of us who went get to enjoy the movie and free popcorn (made on-site!), but also the open air and nighttime breeze. AMAZING.
The movie was even better watching it this second time around. It was also really nice getting to know my fellow Team Ferg blogger, Tiara. I don’t know what it is, but it seems like a lot of people stop making friends after freshman year. We find a few people who we get along with and we stick to hanging out with who we know and doing what we know we like to do with them. So, here’s my little soap box for today—CHANGE IT UP!
I know it’s a little cliché, and awkward, and uncomfortable, but it’s almost always WORTH IT! I have not made a new, good friend since my freshman year, no lies, and I can honestly say it’s likely because I stuck to my routine and didn’t give new people half a chance. Just checking out things on around campus and not bringing along someone I already know to cling onto has given me great opportunities for new friendships. And what could it hurt?
So, thanks GPS for teaching me something new, Tiara for the possibility of a new friendship, and the Movie Series, the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five for bringing it all together!
--Dominique Duerr
Building community with Kung Fu Panda 2:
Ferg Movie Night on the Plaza
Want to catch a movie without driving out to the theaters? The
Ferg Movie Night on the Plaza is a great way to see recently (about to be)
released movies for the nominal cost of pulling up a chair and grabbing some
popcorn.
The atmosphere of Sunday’s movie night was akin to a drive in
theatre: The large movie screen was set outside in the open for all to watch,
and students and other members of the community pulled up chairs or brought
blankets to the event.
The Ferg also made popcorn to give to students as they walked up
to watch the movie. Many people also ordered pizza, and shared it with their
friends.
Kung Fu Panda 2 was also an excellent choice for a movie. Many
people seemingly enjoyed the jokes and clapped at the end of the film. (They
even wanted to see the credits!)
I felt like there was a large sense of community, which is
different from the typical “movie theatre” experience that we are accustomed
to. I am definitely looking forward to the next movie night on the Plaza, and I
can’t wait to bring more of my friends!
Oh, and did I mention that this was free?
--Tiara Dees
