Journal Entry 12

Surprisingly enough I actually enjoyed colloquium a lot more than I thought I would. I am kind of glad it was required. When you first hear of a required class like this you automatically associate it with negative thoughts, or at least I did. However, I tried to go into it with an open mind. When looking back at my first journal the thing I wanted to get most out of this class was getting out of my comfort zone and I think I accomplished that. I knew coming in this class wasn't going to transform me into a huge environmentalist so I tried to set my goals to something more realistic. Which was becoming more aware and looking at things from a different perspective and trying new things. At first I wasn't to excited about doing this blog or these journal entries but now that the class is over and I get to go back and reflect, these are a great reminder of my thoughts and feelings during a specific time throughout this semester. I was one of the few who actually read, A Land Remembered and I did enjoy it but I wasn't exactly to found of the big essay around it. I think the part I found the most difficult was writing about a prompt I wasn't that interested in. I also wasn't too excited about the presentations because I hate being in front of the class and I get nervous and not being able to read off a power point or flash cards made that very difficult. However, that is something that got me out of my comfort zone and will most likely be beneficial to me in the future. I really enjoyed the field trips. At first I thought 4 hours was a big chunk of time to dedicate to a class but there were only 5 field trips and they were for the most part enjoyable. I got to go places I probably never would go and got to actually learn about them. My favorite field trip by far was downtown, I just thought it was so beautiful. My next favorite was Koreshan, not really the tour part but the canoeing because that was something I have never done before and I was glad I was able to try it. My least favorite field trip was ECHO, mainly because I'm still not clear on what they do there A major take away from this class is in what ways I can contribute to helping make this planet a better place to live. I am more knowledgeable of different issues we are facing and I am now able to form an opinion and have an educated talk about it with someone. My service learning hours were done in the Food Forest and that truly got me out of my comfort zone. I did a lot of manual labor and learned a lot about permaculture and about how things grow, especially down in Florida. This class also was very interactive which I enjoyed. I got to meet people from different majors that I probably wouldn't have met otherwise. It was great to have a class that you actually interacted with people and knew their names. Most classes I am you sit there, listen to lecture, don't talk to anyone, and leave. So this was a nice change. This class is also important to my future. I hope it helps mold and shapes the choices I make as I start getting my own car, place, ect and how I choose to live my own life outside of what my parents have taught me. 

Journal Entry 11

I really enjoyed the documentary Chasing Ice. I guess since I don't live by glaciers or ice I don't really pay much mind to what is actually going on. After watching that documentary, you can't deny global warming is happening. I think as a society, most people just try to ignore the issue. They think if they don't think about it, it's not actually happening. James Balog and his team have proof of this climate change that is going on. The pictures they took were absolutely mind blowing to wrap my head around. I think once glacier moved more in a year or short time frame than it did the past decade before. I believe one guy said that the pictures are really cool to see but it is also really bad. I couldn't agree with this more. Although James is a photographer and his pictures of the glaciers were beautiful and cool to watch the transformation and the fact he got it on camera, it is a terrible transformation that is happening. Part of James' team was sent out for 2 weeks or so to watch one of the glaciers. They thought it was ridiculous "watching ice" and if it wasn't for James making them stay they would've left. They didn't though, and they got to witness one of the largest ice calvings. Which once again is super cool to say you saw that but then you realize that isn't a good thing you saw that.



Another thing I really took way from the documentary is James passion and commitment to the Extreme Ice Survey. He had I believe 3 knee surgeries and with each one he got better just to go out and hike again. Most people wouldn't do that. After their first knee surgery they would've stopped in order to take better care of their knee. However, he didn't. He got right back out there because this was something important to him and he was going to do whatever it took. I admire him for his drive and commitment and if it wasn't for that, we probably wouldn't have gotten those pictures and proof that climate change is truly happening.

Journal Entry 10

According to my ecological footprint, if everyone lived like me we would need 5.3 planet Earth's to provide enough resources. It also said in order to support my lifestyle it would take 23.7 global acres of Earth's product area and 26 tons of carbon dioxide. I am in some ways shocked by my results because it is crazy to see these numbers but then again I am not really that shocked because I don't believe I live a very sustainable lifestyle. Now that I am living on my own in an apartment and not in my parent's house I have the choice to live how I want too.  My mom recycles everything, where as I might recycle every now and again if there happens to be a recycle bin around. I don't exactly go out of my way to recycle, especially in my own trash. This is a lifestyle change I would be willing to make. I don't really think about how much electricity I am using, I do things like leave my charger plugged in at all times or leave the fan on in my room even if I leave. My parents used to get onto me for those things and not turning off the tv or shutting of the lights. That is also something I would be willing to work on and hopefully change while living on my own. However, a big part of my ecological footprint was mobility which I assume is transportation. I prefer driving my own car to places I want to go. I actually commute quite a ways to work, as does my mom and I think the only reliable way to assure you get there is to drive yourself. I personally would not be willing to change that aspect of my lifestyle as I am sure my mother wouldn't either. Things that are in walking distance, I will walk to instead of driving. There just doesn't really seem to be much around me in walking distance. I live in apartments right next to campus and as we talked about in class it just isn't set up for things to be in walking distance. Even in my parents HOA the club house where my brother goes to play sports is a 25 minute walk so typically they will drive. I am also not a fan of public transportation such as busses or trains. If needed I would be able to ride one however my mother is a complete germaphob that I know she would never make that lifestyle change.

This class has brought a lot of things about our environment and they effect we each have on it to my attention. Before this class I never thought twice about it. It is good that I am more aware of what is actually happening to our environment. Although I would love more restaurants, shopping, and food around me I see what tearing down and building is doing. We are slowly running out of resources and that is scary to think about the future. It may not directly affect me, but what about my kids or grandkids. It is important to be more aware of what is going on and how I contribute however because of how I was raised I believe some changes will be hard to make to my lifestyle that I don't know if I am ready to make. I think as a global community, making changes that we talked about in class such as smart growth is a good start.

Journal Entry 9

I was very excited about this field trip because I haven't been to Downtown since I've moved here and was excited to get to experience it and get some information about it. I thought for the most part, Downtown was beautiful. The pier and the water were probably my favorite things to look at. It was breath taking, I would love to go down there and just relax and spend time by myself there. I also enjoyed the art and sculptures that we would see periodically through the whole walk. I also learned some interesting things. I didn't know Thomas Edison had so much to contribute to Fort Myers. It know makes since why the mall is called the Edison Mall. Or Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone. Three pretty popular people in history and I would have never thought they would have any relation to Fort Myers without this field trip. I also think the Ford's Garage restaurant and the Firestone restaurant are really unique. I have ate at the Ford's restaurant in Miromar Outlets but I would like to visit the Firestone restaurant sometime an go up to the Sky Bar.

Another thing I found really cool was the brick road. Back home at my high school we had a brick road out front which made it unique and besides that one I had never really seen anywhere else have a brick road. I also never thought of the brick road being "safer" because people are nervous about driving on it but it makes sense. It makes it a nice place for people to be able to walk around and not worry as much about cars speeding through. I was also looking forward to this field trip in order to eat. I was glad I got to try some pizza from DHOP, it was very delicious. However I was upset I didn't venture over to Green Cup because I didn't know they had Bubble Tea. I was so excited to find that out that the next day I made my roommates go back to Downtown with me to get some, I also got to check out a few of the little shops there.

I think around FGCU it is newer and more developed which is great especially for attracting the people to the school. However, I think it is also great that Fort Myers still has the Downtown that is trying to stay away from that and keep the history instead of just building over it with new things. I think that is very important to keep that history there even though they are trying to become more developed around FGCU.

Journal Entry 8

On average I use 103 gallons of water daily, 721 gallons weekly, 2,884 gallons monthly, and 37,492 yearly. These numbers were quite a shock to me. 103 gallons a day and that is leaving out some other uses. I also drink lots of water and use water when cooking. I guess when I wash my hands or flush the toilet I don't really think of how much water is being used. I on average use 40 gallons of water just to shower every day and I think it may honestly be more. I have a bad habit of running the water and doing other things then coming back to take the shower. Never really thought of how wasteful that is. I am also guilty of leaving the water on the whole time I am brushing my teeth. I  don't really take steps to conserve water, at least not on purpose. I usually don't use the dishwasher, instead I usually wash my dishes by hand. I think this is more conservative because I don't use that many dishes and it would be a waste to run the dishwasher and use all that water for a few dishes so by washing them by hand I think I conserve water. However, conserving water isn't the reason I started doing that. A few things I could do to reduce water use is turning the water off when washing my hands, not letting the water in the shower run that long before I get in, and also putting more clothes in my loads of laundry in hopes of doing less loads.

Something I have noticed in Florida that we didn't really care abut much in Missouri is watering your lawn. Everyone here does it, it is a requirement by most HOA's and I think watering your lawn that much can be pretty wasteful. I have also noticed at most jobs I have had, water usage and being cautious of it is never mentioned. When I actually sit here and think of water usage I realize how poorly we are at conserving it. I think it is an issue that doesn't get as much attention as it deserves. I think that having access to water is something we take for granted without really be conscious of it. We've never had to wonder if we will have enough water to do every day things. We just don't typically have to think like that, which I am very thankful for. However, I think that it is something we should have to experience in order to get a new appreciation for it.

Journal Entry 7

I was very confused when we first arrived to ECHO. I didn't know what it was but I was assuming it was a lot like the other field trips we had been on so far so I was expecting go on another nature walk. ECHO is a global farm who wants to help end world hunger. After visiting I did a little more research on them. Their vision is something that I think describes this place best, "Honoring God by empowering the undernourished with sustainable hunger solutions." This would be why our tour guide found this job by people at his church. My favorite part of our tour was definitely the tour guide. He had a lot of personality and passion while giving the tour which made it a lot more interesting. Some parts of the trip I found confusing, one second we were looking at flowers, the next we were in a mock "shop." It was all very unique and cool but it was also very different. I really love that they use this place to come up with ideas to help make food for other countries in an easier more sustainable way  while also ensuring they are being fed.

The machines/gadgets they created were awesome and seem to really help. I thought the one where they made their own manure or gas was interesting. I wish it would've been working when we were there. Also the big one that made watering multiple crops from one area was cool and probably very useful. I also saw a quote on their website that said, "ECHO outperforms most other charities in America." So obviously what they are coming up with is working and how cool that it is all being done so close to where we live. I think we could use some of the technologies and techniques that ECHO uses here, although we don't have issues with hunger like other countries, we could always be more sustainable. I think it would be cool to see some of these techniques and technologies in the FGCU Food Forest even though they have their own ways.

Journal Entry 6

After watching the Ted Talk about "What are animals feeling and thinking?" it made me truly think about other animals. Growing up, sometimes I would look at an animal and wonder silly things such as do they have birthdays or do they get in trouble. I never really think much about it when watching them interact. A few things from the clip really stuck with me. The elephant and then four days later showing it dead with its trunk detached and its family just looking at it. They have to experience some grief and being sad or terrified. Just as we would if we saw something like that happen to a loved one. I also thought it was interesting with the elephants and the hidden speakers. The sounds of tourist didn't bother them but the sounds of hunters frightened them. It shows that they are aware of us humans and can distinguish between which ones are harmless and which ones they should be scared of. I think that also shows a level of intelligence. Another part of the video I thought was cool was the dolphins. That they new the lady and her boat but wouldn't approach it one day because some died, the dolphins knew that before anyone else on the ship did. Or when the baby dolphin used the milk to replicate a human blowing smoke. It truly is amazing how smart the animals are and how the baby is trying to replicate someone just as a human baby would do. Animals have to learn the same way humans do. Another thing I think about is service dogs, how they can since stuff about the human and be able to give compassion or help them in life. I think it is truly amazing what animals are capable of. It makes me think of the Harambe situation that when the baby fell into his cage he immediately went to protect it, he recognized that is was a child and wanted to protect it as they would their own and what did we do. We as humans killed the animal. I personally don't believe the child was in any danger, the gorilla was just simply doing something the mom couldn't do, protect it. Just as the video pointed out that the killer whales don't eat the humans even though they are right there because that's not what they eat. Overall I think the clip showed a perspective of animals that we don't usually think of and it was interesting to watch.

Journal Entry 5

Monday February 20, 2017

Breakfast:

1 packet of Quaker instant strawberries and cream oatmeal- purchased from Publix then put together myself at home

1 cup of coffee- brewed in Keurig, K-cup purchased from Publix

Snack:

2 Quaker chocolate crunch rice cakes, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and 1 medium sized banana- all purchased from Publix then put together myself at home

1 8oz glass of water- from fridge

Lunch:

Buffalo chicken pita- pre-made at Pita Pit

2 8oz glasses of water- from fridge

Dinner:

Chicken breast, asparagus, tomatoes, and pesto- all purchased from Publix then put together myself at home

2 8oz glasses of water- from fridge

Snack:

2 cups of strawberries- purchased from Publix

1 8oz glass of water- from fridge

Estimated Total Caloric Intake: 1,488 according to https://www.drgily.com/the-calorie-counter.php

I get most of my food from Publix, the grocery store and don’t really think much about where it comes from besides that. I usually try to buy “healthier” food from the grocery store and try to not eat out unless I am too busy. I ate Quaker products for breakfast and a snack and when doing research they get their products from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It had to travel a long way but they are non-perishable items so they don’t go bad quickly. They were packaged in cardboard and plastic. After watching the documentary in class I was curious where the chicken I eat comes from. When doing research the chicken I eat from Publix is their brand GreenWise which is raised in Florida which makes me feel better that it isn’t Tyson but the chicken I got in my Pita or when I am out to eat I have no idea where it comes from.

I would say my food choices are somewhat sustainable. They could be worse, I think getting the Publix brand of chicken is better than getting chicken from some other grocery store. I also believe that since we are in Florida and have the ability to produce most fruits and vegetables year round helps with picking more sustainable produce from the grocery store. However I wish I had the time to go to local farmer markets to purchase my fruits and vegetables. I think that would be more sustainable and it also helps out local businesses and farmers versus big corporations.

Journal Entry 4

At first I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from a walk around Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. I was really only hoping that I was going to be able to se a gator. At first an few elderly people said they could see one but they were using binoculars. I also have terrible eyesight so I knew I was definitely not going to get to see the gator. However at the very end of our field trip I got to see the gator sunbathing. It was still a little far away for my eyes to see and my picture quality isn't the best but that was my favorite part. I was disappointed by the small amount of wild life we saw throughout our

walk. We did get to see some turtles, the black bird that sits with his wings out so they can dry, and some type of woodpecker. I don't exactly remember their correct names. Another thing that really stuck out to me was the white circular spots all over the cypress trees. I cant remember exactly what it is called but I know it is caused by the air quality. I think it was on every tree there and there were lots of them on each tree. The thing the interested me the most about it was how perfectly circular they were. It was "dry season" when we went so the water levels weren't very high. At the beginning I could see the ground but as you got deeper there was some water. I think the water levels positively affect the plants and animals that live there because it helps them thrive and they have adapted to it and rely on it. The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is a unique place in SWFL because anyone is welcome there. Whether you are doing research, want to learn more, or are just there for pure enjoyment you are welcome to go there. It is also great to be able to have places such as this that truly captures the beauty of Florida and what the environment has to offer instead of using it for a more industrialized place. These places are becoming more rare. I don't think that we would have many conservation lands if they only relied on private funds because unfortunately I don't think there would be enough money and I am starting to see how important places like these are to have and I think it is okay to use tax dollars to purchase and help preserve these parts of the land, I don't know how much longer we can live if we no longer have these.

Journal Entry 3

I had never heard of FGCU's Food Forest until the first day of class when I parked by it and noticed the dumpster painted outside. Even then I still really didn't know what it was or what to expect when we visited a few weeks later. When we were first standing outside of the Food Forest, I honestly wasn't impressed. It didn't look like much and I thought it was "dirty" because of all the newspaper I saw laying around. I still listened and kept an open mind as we entered. My group first went to an avocado tree, which I have never seen one before. I was disappointed to find out there were none growing right now. Then next to the avocado tree was a ginormous pile of dirt. I forgot exactly what it was called but it was filled with a bunch of things to help plants grow and would require much less work. It is something new they just built and I found that very interesting. I also then learned that a component to help it grow was the newspaper which explained why I saw that laying around in the soil. It wasn't just trash, which was nice to find out. Then as we went around the Food Forest some more I was very interested in the different type of things they had growing, a lot of them I had never heard of. Then it came time to "eat" some of the things growing in the Food Forest. This I was very skeptical about and didn't try the first few things. Later on I finally gave in and tried a couple things that turns out I actually enjoyed. I regretted not giving everything a try. My favorite thing I tried was the one that tasted like an apple or cheese.. it's still unknown. Another thing I really enjoyed were the plants that had a really strong aroma. Most of them smelt like some of the candles I purchase except maybe stronger which really blew my mind. I also found the banana tree quite interesting. Bananas are my favorite fruit so I thought it was cool to see where they come from and that they can grow well right where I live. One thing that I really didn't enjoy was the fact that it was "dry" season and nothing was really growing. I will need to go back and visit when everything is blooming, I am sure it is a beautiful sight. I am glad I kept an open mind during this field trip because it turns out I really enjoyed the Food Forest. So much that I chose to do my service learning hours there. I am excited to learn even more about the Food Forest and be apart of something so cool that our campus has to offer. I do believe that this perfectly fits with FGCU's mission in sustainability because it is using given resources in order to grow food, healthier food at that. Another great thing, IT IS FREE. How cool students and faculty can come and get freshly grown food there. They can also plant something they want in there if they really like. I have never thought about the benefits of growing your own food before but I think it is something I want to try to start doing in the future. I don't exactly have the room at the moment so I might have to either start with something small or head on over to our Food Forest. I think the Food Forest is something cool and makes FGCU even more unique. I hope that because of permaculture it is there for many years to come, maybe my kids or even grandkids will be able to come visit it.

Journal Entry 2

My home at the moment is at Coastal Village Apartments. It has a nice trail that encircles a beautiful pond. It is 70 degrees in January, which is a lot better than the 30 degrees I am used to back in Missouri. Each morning I start my day by making coffee and sitting outside on my make shift porch.

 It is a very relaxing and peaceful way start to my day. I love the view of the pond and palm trees and typically the morning breeze. I would also say this is my "sense of place." On nice days I typically sit out there and do my homework, read a book, talk on the phone, or just simply enjoy the weather. Since moving out to Florida I have started becoming a more "outdoorsy" person and I fully believe it is due to the weather being nice year round. I love after having a stressful day being able to just come outside, breathe in some freeze air, and just take a step back and think about life. When I really need a break and the porch just isn't cutting it, I go on walks around the trail. Today I wasn't relieving stress specifically when I went on my walk, I went to actually just enjoy and appreciate my surroundings. It was pretty windy yesterday and might have stormed over night so I noticed a lot more dead palms laying around. I also saw this squirrel who allowed me to get very close to him, once I got too close though he ran up that tree and observed what I was doing. I also saw these 2 ducks (not exactly sure) walking around on land but heading towards the pond where I saw 4 smaller ducks in the pond swimming away.

It was still a little windy from yesterday but it was still a decently nice day. Throughout my walk around the pond I only saw one other person and fortunately for me she was also just enjoying the weather. She was sitting in a hammock, listening to music. I didn't exactly know what song she was listening to but it was very calming. It was fast or upbeat or too loud. It was soft and quiet. She didn't have a book or anything else either, she was just simply hanging out right there. I am not sure how long she had been there or how long she stayed but I do know that this might be her sense of place.

Journal Entry 1

I have lived in Kansas City, Missouri my whole life. I recently moved to Southwest Florida this past fall. Back in Missouri, fall was always my favorite season. It was never too hot and never too cold. I loved going for brisk walks and being surrounded by the beauty of the autumn colored leaves falling around me. I was disappointed with "fall" in Florida, it was comparable to my summer in Missouri. Going to the pumpkin patch and drinking hot cocoa just wasn't the same. However, I was never a fan of winter in Missouri. I absolutely hate the cold weather. It is actually painful; the cold wind smacking me in the face as I walk across campus or not being able to make it some place because the roads are covered in snow or ice. Although associated with Christmas is snow and cold weather, I wasn't upset when it was 80 degrees and I was able to go to the beach this year. I haven't done much exploring in Florida, especially down here in Fort Myers but what I have done I have enjoyed. I've spent quite a bit of time on the beaches. Laying out by the beach and reading a book is some of the best therapy and relaxation I can find. I truly love the sounds you hear between the waves crashing against the shore, birds, and the soft voices of the people around you. I have also began late night runs around my apartment. The weather is perfect at night year round to enjoy a run and get a clear mind before bed. Back in Missouri I was never much of an "outdoorsy" person. I never really cared to be outside unless it was a nice day and we haven't had one in awhile. Even on those days though I would've much rather drove around with the windows down then just sit outside and enjoy the weather. Whereas ever since I've moved out here I spend a lot more time embracing the beautiful weather and scenery down here. Especially now while all my friends back home are freezing. I usually do most of my homework outside. It makes doing homework much more enjoyable. I love the more "tropical" part of nature rather than the wilderness. I've never been a huge fan of forests, murky waters, and wild animals. I have beyond thankful we don't have a fieldtrip where we actually have to get in the water this semester but I am still anxious about how I will feel on our fieldtrips. This class will definitely require me to get out of my comfort zone and although I am nervous I am excited for these new experiences. I hope that this class opens my eyes and changes my perspective on our world and nature. I hope I learn the impact I have on our world and how to improve my actions to positively affect it. The thing I hope to gain most from this class is to conquer my fears and try things I normally wouldn't. I think that is something that I can learn from and take with me throughout life. My New Year's resolution this year was to say "yes" more, take some risks, and get out of my comfort zone so I believe this class will help me do that. I feel like throughout the rest of my education, my career, and just my adult life in general if I apply that attitude I will experience more and be a more well rounded person for it. I know that isn't the big "take home" point of this class but it is something that I personally will gain from it.