My ecological footprint...

After taking the ecological footprint quiz,  this was my result...

It is very sad for me to see that I need this many resources and acres of the Earth for myself and my my family alone. Although I do think that my family uses little electricity and water, we can definitely start using food from nearby areas and cutting down on our individual traveling. I hope that if myself and my family start to do this we will lower our footprint!

My usage through a normal day is a follows:

Energy: as stated before my electricity usage is not in excess, nor is my water usage. I can see how while at school it might be because all the classrooms always have all sets of lights on, and the AC blasting, but that is not my personal usage.

Fuel: Because I am a commuter I use a lot of fuel to get back and forth to school. It is about a 15 minute drive to school, and I make that drive at least twice a day. Then add in the fuel to drive to friends and food. I use much too much fuel.

Food Intake: I do not eat nearly as much as one should. And because of my schedule it is usually poor choices and not natural. I know I need to start purchasing produce from nearby farm stands and stores. This will not only help myself, but also the community.

Water Use: Other than one shower a day, and one or two water bottles, I do not use all that much water in a day. 

Packaging: Due to my poor eating habits, my packaging habits are poor as well. I am constantly drinking water bottles, soda bottles, eating from chip bags and candy wrappers. Once I fix my eating habits my packaging habits will change as well. 

Field trip to Matanzas Pass Preserve...

For class we took a field trip to Matanzas Pass Preserve. I truly enjoyed listening to Mrs.Hughes. Although I am not a huge history person, it was very interesting to hear her talk about the history of her home and island. Although she was talking about the history of the island, her personal stories made me feel engaged and it helped me have a personal connection to her and the island. I enjoyed the walk to the water and back, although I did not enjoy that there were no boundaries between myself and the nature around me. Like I mentioned in a previous entry, I am terrified of bugs and scary animals, so every time I would hear or feel something it would make me feel very uneasy.

Once we arrived to the water, it was an awesome view of the inlet, and the islands on the other side. The breeze made the heat bearable and seeing dolphins made the trip exciting.

Conservation 20/20 is basically tax dollars going to a fund to conserve land, because a very small percentage of Lee County is a conservation area. I think this is a necessary thing, because without the environment very few things would exist, and things would start disappearing. This is the first time I have heard of the program, and I think that it should be initiated in other areas around the nation.

My restorative moment with the environment...

Family vacations are a big part of my family's interaction. They are the only time we can come together and enjoy each others' company without the distraction of the outside world. Now, because of my parents' preferences we will always vacation on or at least a near a beach, but never anything less than walking distance to the beach.

I can remember when I was in my early high school years, we took a vacation to Aruba with two families we are very close to. It was one of the more exciting vacations we have taken because we were able to joke and share memories with not only our family but our friends as well. Having just finished up a musical at my theatre school, I was extremely worn down and tired before this vacation. On the second morning of the vacation, I took it upon myself to wake up early (which I do not do for anything) and sit on the beach before everyone else arrived. When I got to the beach, I laid down on a beach chair, listened to the sounds of the water coming in and out, and felt the warm breeze as it moved my hair back and forth. It was the first time in a while I had been at peace, and calm. I felt immediately as if I was gaining my life energy back. This moment was me being restored by the calmness, and beauty of the beach.

On a normal day to relieve stress I listen to music, and sing my heart out. Sometimes this happens outside, but most of the time it happens in my bedroom or car. If I had more time in the day,  I would make it a point to take walks outside and listen to music to relieve my stress, but I do not get a chance to ever do that. I wish I did.

My incoming reflection...

Although I like to pretend like I am "one with nature", I am truly not. I am a city girl, from the big apple. Coming into this class I am scared to find out what nature has to offer. Bugs frighten me, the sound of animals terrify me and most of all I do not like bad weather. But I am hoping to find nature within myself during this course. Which I know is a lot to ask for, so maybe I am looking for a sense of what nature is and how it relates to me; a girl from a big city.

I do see myself coming to college to find life long skills and goals, not just to learn my trade and move on. College is not just about the classes the take, but what you take away from those classes and how they can effect your life for the future. I am hoping to gain life skills to take with me back to NY to help bring nature into my life, even in a big city. I want to gain a new outlook on nature, and I am hoping to do so with this class.