It's Origami Time With Matthew

          My origami project this week included a new implementation with a technique I've never tried. This included performing intricate ripping in the paper to complete the finished product. I ripped the paper slightly on the bottom edges during folding to shape the dog's "tongue." I followed a guide's specific instructions to try to make it look accurate. I still had a hard time performing that small of ripping to that degree because I believe the design still ended up looking a like a rabbit.           I agree that places can act as a "container for experiences." For example, our anatomy lab for this semester has certainly been a place hosting a variety of eye-opening and unique experiences for me. I recognize that place as one that usually provides a difficult experience. However, I also know that I have the opportunity to grow in that place. I understand that I won't be in that class forever, and I will look back on that...

This week I attempted what felt like easily the most difficult origami project so far. To tell the truth, I began a different project before this one and it was a bit too difficult to follow so I changed to the speedboat design. Even still, I had to pause a tutorial video for the boat a large number of times in order to make sure I made the intricate folds correctly. I had to rewind probably dozens of times. I wasn't sure if I would be able to complete this project in a reasonable amount of time, but luckily I stuck with it and was able to make a good enough design that even floats in water! I believe that Hasselkus's idea that spirituality and occupations are mutually beneficial is true. I know in my own experience when looking to find things that can spiritually inspire me, that my own personal and professional occupations can benefit. I feel lie doing hard things is easier when I seek spirituality in my life. In addition, when I make time to do things that are meaningful of ...

This week, I attempted a butterfly for my second project of origami. I still tried to accomplish something that was around the beginner level, but I still felt that I struggled to do it exactly right. Emotionally, I started to feel a bit frustrated at myself for how many times I needed to stop or rewind a tutorial video. However, I also felt after a little while that perhaps I just needed to have a bit more patience with myself because this is still a new occupation for me! This occupation seems to relate to a couple of definitions of occupations in the reading, but not to all of them. The issue that keeps it from relating to each definition of occupation is that it is not something I perform every single day. However, it is still something that is "self-initiated, self-directed, and purposeful." In addition, it is something that I do to occupy myself. Origami is a new occupation in my life, but I'm not sure if I could consider it to be something that is an integral part ...

For my first project, I wanted to attempt something that origami guides call “simple.” I found a project with that label, but it was still more complicated than expected. This proved to me that perhaps I have a lot to learn about what really goes in to making an appealing piece of origami. I found myself stopping and repeating most of the steps involved. I stressed to make my folds in the same exact places and with the same sharpness. You can see a picture of the folding in progress before the finished project. However, I was able to make this fish origami shape and I believe that going through the fundamentals of the process will become easier as I get more practice!  On the continuum of relative influence of self vs. society, I believe that this activity represents much more of a "poverty of experience." This means to me that I have a lack of experience and that I do not seek it out for individualism, but rather a form of social conformity perhaps in a way that I would not ...

 Hello! My name is Matthew Blake and I am from Sandy, Utah. I got married one year ago to my wife Sophie at BYU-Idaho. I got my bachelor's degree in Public Health. I am excited to learn how to become the best new occupational therapist that I can be! I wanted to choose origami for my new occupation because it is something that is in a different realm of activities than I have ever really participated in. I have never spent much time doing arts and crafts, so I thought this would be a totally new experience for me. I thought it could possibly have some value with practicing and teaching fine motor skills. I have not been extremely skilled in the past with hand dexterity, so I also thought it would be good practice for myself! Thank you for visiting!

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