Personal Journal Entry #4

                                                                            January 30th, 2011
           

What is the best way to live?

          This is a question somewhat difficult to answer. Everyone will have different opinions as to what comprises the best way to live. There is no right or wrong answer here. Many would say the best way to live would be to have enough financial resources to meet our needs and some of our wants, an abundance of friends, and the ability to give back to the community as our successes allow. Just as importantly, some would say the best way to live would be to appreciate the beauty of the world around us and the desire to "pay it forward". Just as it takes "a village to raise a child", it takes the global community's commitment to the preservation of our natural resources to ensure that each generation to come will enjoy the same abundance of fresh air, water, and food as the generations before it.   

          I believe that a successful and fulfilling life happens when the following:

1) When a baby is born into the world, appreciated and loved by family.

2) When a child discovers that same love and spreads warmth and joy to others around them.

3) When an adolescent becomes well educated and is made aware of their responsibilities as far as sustaining the environment in which they live.

4) When an adult discovers the career in which they will thrive and prosper and continues to make a purposeful commitment to preserving and sustaining their environment.

And…

5) When an elder has lived a long life filled with accomplishment, satisfaction, and happiness and is perhaps able to volunteer as a means of giving back to the community.

Personal Journal Entry #3

                                                                                                                                 January 23, 2011

    

     After reflecting on my personal world view, I considered the following questions:

     Is there a relationship between the quality of life and the quality of the environment? If so, what does this relationship really mean to me as an individual? How can I use this information to benefit my own life and those around me?

     Quality of life can be a term used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. But it is more than that. Indicators of the quality of life are the built environment, physical and mental health, education, recreation and leisure time, and social belonging. There are many areas where a healthy environment positively affects our quality of life. We have national parks which increase the value of life for recreation. I also recollected  that here in the United States we have clean lakes, rivers, and beaches that provide many different forms of recreation including boating, fishing, wakeboarding, surfing, waterskiing, scuba diving, etc. Further, we have an abundant food supply, including organic farming, leading to a healthier lifestyle. Environmental quality is a general term which can refer to varied characteristics that relate to the natural environment as well as the built environment, such as air, water purity or pollution, noise, and the potential effects which such characteristics may have on physical and mental health caused by human activities. It is important for us to realize that we are very fortunate to have so much here in the United States.

     When taking all of this into account I realized that, personally, I sometimes take these things for granted. On a daily basis I do not contemplate the environment as much as I possibly should. I do admit that. But the important thing to remember is that I do care. I can try to become more active in the environment. I do think that it is important to recycle and not cause plastic to float into our oceans and harm the underwater species. I know that if I can make the vow to help the environment, by remembering to recycle or not waste food, that I will make a difference. Imagine what an effect this would have on the environment if we all chose to do something. We can get involved. It is all a matter of if you want to take care of the environment that you, your family, and your friends live in. It is not just about you. It is how you can benefit your quality of life and if you have the perseverance to help those around you. A well cared for environment is beneficial for everyone!

Journal Entry #2 - Field Trip to ECHO

     ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) is a non-profit, inter-denominational Christian organization located on a demonstration farm in North Fort Myers, FL. ECHO exists for one major reason, to help those working internationally with the poor be more effective, especially in the area of agriculture! The four main components of ECHO's DNA are:

1. Problem Solving
2. Providing Seeds
3. Education and Training
4. Networking

     The purpose of ECHO is truly inspiring. They work together to teach people how to farm in countries all over the world. The ECHO farm is now reaching over 180 countries in the world today which is absolutely amazing. They are teaching people about affordable agricultural solutions, fertilization techniques, and irrigation systems. There are many people all over the world today that do not have the resources or education to learn how to farm. ECHO provides these things for them. Just by providing seeds, many times not native to the country, the people can learn how to identify various plants.

     Here in the United States we are blessed but sometimes blind when compared with other countries. We have many freedoms, technologies, and skills that many other countries do not possess. We need to be grateful for having the opportunities to make a difference in the world and to realize what we have here. Oftentimes, many of us do not take a moment to think how truly blessed we are to have such simple things that abundant food and clean water. But food and water are what we need to survive. ECHO is working to fight world hunger.

 

Here are a few photographs taken at the ECHO Global Farm:

Personal Journal Entry #1

                                                                                                               January 13, 2011.

          I am majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Art. I have just started the Spring semester at FGCU. I am enrolled in 18 hours of courses, or what I call, a FULL course load and I am working over the weekends. As a student, this year will be very vigorous but I will work hard to achieve high academic achievement. I would call myself a very ambitious and family-oriented person. I would describe myself as an all around caring person who does absolutely everything for my friends and family. I have always had a warm and gentle personality and I know that those qualities will never change.

          I live with my mother and my shih-tzu, Nicky. I love my mother with all of my heart. We are about as close as it gets. She has been there for me throughout my development as a child into the successful college student I am today. If it wasn't for her, I probably would not have made it this far. My dog, Nicky or Sir Nicholas, is an absolute spoiled prince. He gets to sleep all day, get massages, play with toys, and most importantly get lots of treats! I have had many pets over the years, but my Nicky is my absolute favorite. He is the sweetest dog a girl could ask for. He is rather unintelligent though. Sometimes he misplaces his toys all over the house and gets in wild modes where he runs around the house like a crazed lunatic. But Nicky is the best friend, well best ANIMAL friend, I could ask for. If anything were to happen to him then my heart would break. So it goes without saying that not only am I kind to people, I am an animal lover as well!

          A little more about me. I am an only child. As thrilling as that sounds, it can be a bit lonely. I have had no brothers or sisters to play with as I grew up. Well, at least none that I know of. I am also adopted and have no knowledge of where my birth parents are located. But I have led a great life filled with friends and family that I would do just about anything for. Family comes first. Then my education. Then work. That is just the way it is. If I didn't have my family, I would be lost. It is important for everyone to realize how important family is and to understand how fortunate we are here in the United States. We have freedoms here that some countries wouldn't dream of. Sometimes the simple things in life are the most forgotten. But, in all reality, the simple things in life, like spending time with family, should be the most coveted and cherished.  

          As for now, that is all I need. Without love, support, and encouragement from the people who love you, then a person would be nothing and go nowhere in life. I am grateful to have the opportunity to learn new things, get a good education, and to be surrounded by wonderful people. I am truly blessed and thankful to be where I am today!

Below are some photographs of my prince of a dog -- Sir Nicholas a.k.a. Nicky!

And after a grooming:

CONT...

Food For Thought:

          After taking the time to soak up nature and the environment around my neighborhood I have created a short list of questions that popped into my mind. Some questions to consider:

1.) For living in a gated community, why are there so many houses without lawn care? Shouldn't each person have the same quality of grass, which is alive rather than practically dead?

2.) Why are there sandspurs in the grass, when there is no sand? (Nicky did NOT appreciate getting one stuck in his poor little paw. Thankfully, I was able to remove it with quite a bit of effort.)

3.) Why are there hardly any residents playing the outdoor sports activities? Throughout my neighborhood we have swimming pools, tennis courts, mini-golf, even shuffleboard. Why are people rarely taking advantage of these fun activities?

4.) Does the colder Florida temperature have a harsh effect on the trees and the flowers?

5.) Will it ever snow in Florida?

6.) Why is it that every time trash pick-up day comes around, which is twice a week, all of the houses on my block have massive amounts of trash  in a matter of days?

7.) For being in a nice community, why are there some amounts of litter covering the ground when there are trash cans only are mere 3 feet away?

8.) Do people in my community have respect for the environment that they live in? Does anyone think about the environment at all?

9.) Are there people who do not know how to recycle items?

10.) Going around my community I noticed many houses and lawns that were unattended. Why do I never see anyone watering their plants? If people have the time to roll their garbage cans to the end of the driveway shouldn't they also have time to take care of the outside appearance of their homes and water their planted garden?

Also, 11.) What is the purpose of riding around on a bike and putting your dog enclosed in a mesh basket? Wouldn't they like to smell the roses, mark their territory, or chase after the birds? What is the point of containing them while you get a breath of fresh air?