Reflection

At the beginning of the semester, I was intrigued to see how the environment would be portrayed in literature, especially since the impact of humans on the environment has been the center of the news lately, and how my skills as a student would be enhanced through the coursework. Through this course, I have became more aware of my relationship with nature, enhanced my writing skills and put a new tool in my “educator’s” toolbox.

Rusty Clyde-My walking buddy 

Growing up, I loved to play outside with my immediate and extended family. With fourteen grandchildren at family gatherings, us kids were encouraged to take the “party” outside which would turn into snowball fights, a football game or any other game would we would create. I always thought I had a good relationship with nature, knowing my place and I have always had good experiences while I was in nature. However, through this course, my thinking of nature and the environment has expanded. Before this class, when I would be outside to walk my dog, I would walk with my headphones in and be unaware of the world around me. However, after hearing different discussions in class about leaving technology behind, I now leave my phone behind and enjoy the sounds of nature around me. Through the course of the semester, I feel that I have enhanced my writing skills through the different writing exercises we have done, specifically the poetry analysis paper and the blog posts. Before enrolling in this course, I had not previously be expected to do an analysis on a piece of poetry nor compose a blog. I have, however, had plenty of experience doing research for papers for previous courses as well as my current classes. I am enrolled in my English Capstone course which has required enormous amounts of research. At the conclusion of this course, however, I feel as though I have a basic understanding of the content and background needed to properly do an analysis on a piece of poetry. In continuation, I enjoyed blogging and the freedom of what topics I had the ability to talk about as long as it fit within the realm of nature and environment. Due to my positive experience with blogging, it is a tool that I plan on adding to my “teacher toolbox” if I teach upper Elementary or a Middle School Classroom. I feel blogging could be an effective tool to give students an alternative way to write during Writer’s Workshop as well as a means to answer prompts provided by the teacher as well as encourage classroom discussion with their peers.

As the semester concludes, I am glad I decided to enroll in Literature and the Environment because it challenged me to reflect on my own perceptions while also enhancing the skills that I already possessed as well as adding new skills to benefit myself as a student.

“Black” Nature

Black Friday marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Months before the “iconic” shopping event, provide sneak-peaks of their latest and greatest deals and doorbusters for the event. For several years in high school, I worked at a clothing store within the local mall. With working retail and working numerous hours as the holidays approached went hand in hand. I worked for the company for three years. Each year requiring me to miss parts of Thanksgiving to fulfill society’s need for stuff. Frequently, I had to miss spending time with family to satisfy society’s obsession with consumerism.

Years later, a popular outdoor retailer is calling for ‘black’ nature. Outdoor gear and sporting goods retailer REI is cancelling Black Friday this year with no promotions, no hourly sales, no doorbusters, and no waiting in line. The retailer is closing all 143 store doors the day after Thanksgiving. REI is taking direct aim at society’s consumerism that dominates the holiday season. REI is trying to convince consumers to start a new Black Friday tradition that does not involve buying anything and instead includes spending time in the great outdoors. REI is promoting the hashtag #OptOutside to share what they are doing on Black Friday on social media instead of shopping.

I congratulate the company trying to push consumers outside of the traditional holiday season craziness.  The holiday season is the perfect time of year to spend time with family and the great outdoors; building snowmen, playing football, or going on a hike in the snow.

Time for a new holiday: “Black” Nature

Read the original article on: http://www.wzzm13.com/story/money/2015/10/26/rei-closing-on-black-friday-for-first-time-in-its-history/74627872/

Nature vs. Technology

It is no secret that us, humans, are always plugged in and always have the newest, “greatest” technology. Recently, I have read A Walk in the Woods, written by Bill Bryson, as well as watched the movie rendition of the novel. A Walk in the Woods, written by Bill Bryson. With no outdoor experience, Bryson originally planned on hiking the entire 2,200-mile trail in one season, starting in Georgia and ending in Maine. Bryson enlists his childhood friend, Stephen Katz to accompany him on his trek. The book documents the duos’ journey on the trail. 

My boyfriend and I went one Sunday afternoon to see the movie rendition of the book. At the conclusion of the movie, I was ready to hike the trail (with Bryson and Katz in the novel, of course) and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I thought the actors the producers choose did an amazing job portraying the characters. Also, the fly-over scenes were breath-taking. I disappointed in the unrealistic green screening demonstrated. My boyfriend, who I went to see the movie with, reminded me that it might not be possible to bring a crew and equipment on to the trail on step cliffs. But with technology and advances in the movie industry, I felt the producers could have pick a different place on the trial, a different location, or a better green screening background!

I read and finished the novel of the course of the following couple days. I laughed at some parts, imagining specific scenes in which were included within the movie rendition. However, at the conclusion of the novel, I felt disappointed and highly ticked that the film version had a different ending than the novel. I felt the book offered information about the history of the trail where as the movie rendition was geared towards the comedy seen within the covers of the novel. I feel like those whom will not read and will simply see the movie rendition will miss out on the significant depth Bryson spends talking about specific issues with American culture, technology. 

            

One of the specific issues Bryson spoke to was technologies enclosing on the until recently “off the grid” culture of the Appalachian Trail. In A Walk in the Woods, Bryson begins describing a situation in which he comes in contact with another hiker whom was carrying a handheld electronic device in which he was taking mysterious readings of the sky or landscape. Bryson instead expresses his hate of technology he has found on the Appalachian trail and how now hikers are traveling with laptop computers and modems to communicate daily reports back to their friends and family. Technology is very much prevalent more so in today’s society compared to when Bryson traveled the trail. Our society has a difficult time going off the grid, always checking into social media.

I find myself checking social media when I am out. When I am among nature, however, I will gladly take pictures of nature around me. It is difficult, particularly, for my generation to go off the grid. However, nature should be observed through the naked eye and not through the lenses of the latest and greatest smartphone.

Round Two. Nature vs. Technology. Who will come out on top?

Source: Bryson, Bill. A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail. New York: Broadway, 1998. Print.

Moon Walking

Growing up, my family never went camping. My brother and I would “camp” in our backyard for the afternoon, coloring or playing, in our tent in the front yard. Sometimes my brother and I would camp in our living room, which turned into a brief attempt to sleep in the tent at night.

Fast-forward to 15 years later, here I am getting ready to embark on my first camping trip. I was eager. My boyfriend’s sister had prepared a list of items necessary for the journey ahead. I would be camping alongside my boyfriend and his mom for the weekend along with family friends from from church. Our caravan would be headed down to Turkey Run State Park in Indiana. We embarked on our journey at 9am and jogged our way through the states to our destination. Upon arriving at the park, we checked in and arrive at our campground in the midst of running to be a rainstorm. I, at first, reluctantly, switched my phone to airplane mode in hopes of preserving my battery. We quickly set up our shelters before settling in at a campfire. After the campfire, the families returned to their campsites for a full nights rest before we embarked on our hiking journey.

The night rain had left a haze on the campsite and a cool breeze. The temperature was set to hit around 85. Our crew decided to embark on our hike around 10, in hopes of beating the day’s heat. We set out in hopes of completing a 1.5 mile hike. The views were breath taking, unlike anything I had seen before. Our group climbed across a suspension bridge, climbed up slippery waterfalls, and descended down old-rugged ladders. 4 hours away, and I felt like I was a world away. While on the hike, I vowed to enjoy the sights with my eyes, and not through the lens of my camera. 5 hours and a 3 mile hike later, our group retired to our campsites and the bathhouses to wash up for dinner before another storm threatened our night plans of a fire.

The rain threatened the tent with its infiltration. We awoke to wet tents and blankets. We began to break down camp when another rainstorm rolled in. My boyfriend’s mom and I worked on breaking down the inside of the tent while my boyfriend modeled his rain wear, walking on the moon(or grass). 

Moon Walkin'

After tents were broken down and goodbyes we said, we all loaded back in our cars and headed towards reality. I waited to switch my phone back on. It was nice to get off the grid for a couple days, enjoy the company of nature and the individuals around me. I dream of next year to walk the same paths and have a freeing experience among nature.

What Do We Give Nature?

I was under the impression I was just going to a family friend’s parent’s farm. I was going to simply relax among friends while my boyfriend’s mom went for her helicopter ride. We would stay for a couple hours and then head back home to the hustle and bustle of the city. Assumptions.

Upon arriving, I was overwhelmed at the simple beauty of the grounds. Weather worn barns, rolling hills, a nearby creek, and a garden filled to the brim with vegetables. No stress and no worries…

Nature gives me,  

A breath of Fresh Air. A chance to get away from the homework and paper grind. Rediscover the childhood wonder of exploring and wandering. Nothing simpler: laced up shoes, rolling hills, a hand to hold, and an adventure to be had.

Nature gives me,

A simple outing. A breath of fresh air. A chance to run and explore. A chance to enjoy the last few moments of summer before the cold weather comes to stay. 

That is what nature gives us. What do we give nature? The “gift” of our presence?