Facial Expression Observation

The person I picked to interview about their spring break was no other than my roommate and good friend Micah Bollinger.  He had a very exciting and rare spring break and I thought it would be interesting to see his facial expressions throughout this conversation.  Micah is an athlete here at Kutztown University, he is a member of the Golden Bear wrestling team.  Wrestling this season at the weight of 165 pounds, he plans to come back next year for his final year of collegiate illegible.  Not only is Micah a part of the team but also excels at the sport.  Over spring break, Micah took a trip to Pablo, Colorado for the Division II National Wrestling Tournament.  This tournament includes only the best division two wrestlers and is quite an honor.  As soon as I arrived back to my apartment after break, I asked him how the trip was.  He had a simple, unenthusiastic reply which made me think the tournament didn't go so well, "Colorado was cool".  Micah only won one match at the national tournament and failed to make it out of the preliminary round.  He didn't even make eye contact with me in the beginning of the conversation, just stared down at his desk showing that it was a sore subject.  He showed neutralization according the Ekman & Friesen's Facial Managment techniques because he gave a very neutral answer and didn't let his emotions get the best of him.  He switched the topic off of wrestling and starting talking about the plane ride to Colorado.  He mentioned that the Panda Garden chinese restaurant in the airport terminal was amazing.  As he said that Micah's eyes lit up and he finally put a smile on his face (we love our chinese food).  You could tell it was a geniune smile because his teeth were showing and his eyes were wrinkled.  He then continued talking about the plane ride.  It was his second time ever on the plane and he had to be nervous.  He seemed to use a masking technique when talking to me about the plane.  His smile got even bigger when describing the scary, turbulant ride, I think he was happy to make it home in one piece.  The last thing Micah mentioned about his spring break was his short time at home in Mifflinburg, PA.  His face seemed to relax when talking about his time at home with his family.  He finally got a few days to himself without sports or school work and that pleased him.  All in all, the distinct facial expressions Micah showed while conversing with me expressed that his spring break was dissappointing yet fun and relaxing.