Where's Waldo? More Like Where's Water?

I was very excited to take Literature and Civilizations II as I thought it would provide comedic relief during my day and that it would further expand my knowledge of literature, however, I was a bit caught off guard when I found out that we would be focusing on water. I was concerned that I wouldn’t be exposed to a new way of thinking, and became curious about how water could become a deep topic of discussion. I figured that we would just be looking at pieces of literature that were set around a body of water (water affecting humans), however, I never imagined that we would be concentrating on how humans affect water like we just did with Fishman’s book, The Big Thirst. I am pleased to say that my initial excitement for Literature and Civilizations II is revived, and I can’t wait to see what else we talk about in class this semester! I feel like water has played a large role in my life this semester (and it’s ironic that I say this because water has ALWAYS played a huge role in my life…I just wasn’t aware of it) not only through our discussions of water in class, but also in outside articles I have read regarding health/fitness, and in an organization I am in called the Chancellor’s Leadership Program! It is interesting to note the many ways that water affects my life, and there are many connections amongst the things I have learned just in the short time I have been back at school.

Water is a vital resource for humans as well as for our planet, and I enjoyed reading about the three layers that are mentioned in Chapter 9 of The Big Thirst. He talked about how the earth must be replenished by water first, even before humans, in order for water to remain plentiful, and I definitely agree with this idea. I am a huge supporter and promoter of environmental sustainability, and ever since I was little I have always had a passion to help our earth. The topics we just covered in class are very meaningful to me, and the water crisis problems really hit home. I am constantly worried about the direction that our earth is moving in, and many of the statistics given by Fishman further enhanced my concern with the wellbeing of our environment. Not only is the earth suffering due to the water crisis, but humans are suffering too, and it will most likely get worse before it can get better.  

I have recently read a few health and fitness articles that discuss why our bodies need to be constantly replenished by water, and while I may agree with these doctors, I have begun to feel guilty for “hogging” the clean water. I know I should be rehydrating often, and drinking about 8 glasses of water per day but this just doesn’t feel right anymore. A similar topic was brought up last week while I was at my meeting for the Chancellor’s Leadership Program about how much water humans should drink. We discussed everyone’s stress levels and performance levels on tests, and came to the conclusion that one of the ways to enhance one’s functioning capability is by drinking more water. The right amount of water each day helps our bodies to stay focused and retain information better. We are less tired throughout the day, and water will help your body feel energized. Water definitely impacts humans in a positive way but what if humans were to think of water as impacting our earth with these same positive attributes. Our earth should be treated with the same care that we treat ourselves with, and water is one of the most important things we can give our earth. So why continue to deprive the earth of the best possible thing to keep it running smoothly? I agree that the logistics to a successful water crisis plan of attack is hard to imagine, however, if humans would just think of the earth as a special entity just the same way as we consider each other to be, then maybe a change can be made. Water has been a big topic of discussion for me this semester, and I know that it will increasingly be a popular area of focus around the world. I am going to do my part to help our planet and future generations by cutting back on my use of water (not by restricting myself to drinking less water, which would in fact be unhealthy, but by limiting the amount of times I am wasting water).

Population Growth: The World's Crisis?

I'm a Barbi Girl

I met for the first time with my conversation partner on Monday, September 22^nd at the TCU Bookstore! We had communicated back and forth via email a few times just to set the place and time for our meeting but I still had no idea what to expect. The idea of having a conversation partner who is in the Intensive English program at TCU is exciting, and seems like a very rewarding and insightful experience for both parties. However, along with this cool assignment, comes a great deal of responsibility, patience, and understanding. I was very much looking forward to meeting my partner, yet as our meeting time got closer, I become more and more nervous. These feelings were directly related to this new process and my unfamiliarity with students from other countries. I was worried about what to say or how I should act, but once my student showed up, those fears vanished. Upon our first meeting, I realized that she was probably more nervous than I was, and it didn’t help the situation at all that she had gotten lost trying to find the bookstore. She seemed shy, and apprehensive at first, but she handled the situation very well. My conversation partner, Barbi, is from Haiti, and in just one meeting, she opened up to me a lot.

Within the first few minutes of our conversation, it came up that she and her two siblings came to the United States a few years ago in order to escape the perils that exist in Haiti. She said that the last two years were difficult on her and her family, as her father was killed last year by a home intruder and her mother shot in this same encounter. I was shocked that such a horrific act had taken place, however, she was very calm and did not seem as phased by the situation as I would have thought. Barbi was very matter-of-fact when she told me, and so it occurred to me that something like this must be a common occurrence in her hometown. Barbi and her two siblings moved to Maine from Haiti a few years ago where they began to learn English, and Barbi even mentioned that she got her braces on while there, something that she was very excited about. They moved to Texas on July 1^st, and although Barbi said it is hot, she said it reminds her a lot of the climate at home (she didn’t like the cold temperatures of Maine). Barbi’s English is very good, however, she disagrees and believes she has much room for improvement. She is going to school so she can become a business administrator, and I can tell that she is very determined to do well. Barbi and her siblings, who are also in the Intensive English Program at TCU, live with their uncle and cousins in the area but take two buses every morning to get to campus. Their family is very close-knit, and Barbi mentioned that they all attended their first football game together this past weekend! Through our first conversation, I could tell that Barbi is a very genuine, kind, intelligent, and hard-working person. She dedicates a lot of time to her family and her studies, and I hope that I will not only get to know Barbi this semester but that I will also get to become friends with her. I am inspired by her positive attitude, and her determination to succeed. She was so brave and open with me about her story, and I hope that I can make as great of a positive impact on her life as she did on mine in only one conversation.

It's All About Perspective

As we pushed off down the Trinity, I could tell that great adventures were in store. The wind picked up occasionally, as if to remind us of reality, and ripples shot across the still abyss so as to connect two of the four elements in unison. Birds were lifted into the sky, and for once in a long time, I felt as if nature was impacting me, and not that I was impacting nature. The air was cool around us, and much greenery appeared as we journeyed into what felt like a magical new world. This enchantment came from not only our surroundings, but also from the peace and calmness that the water brought with it through its slow moving current and the mystery of what lies below in its depths. I felt like all my problems vanished, and suddenly, I seemed to have all the time in the world (it’s crazy how nature can do that to you). There is something to be said for the deep connections I made with others on this adventure, and I believe that the formation of new relationships was directly facilitated by our surroundings. Traveling together as a group down the river, with no other commitments or expectations, other than to enjoy each other and the journey, truly allowed us to focus on the experience at hand. It seems to me that life often gets in the way of cherishing every minute of your time, and though this may seems contradictory, I would like to emphasize the ridiculousness of this idea that life gets in the way of life.

            The Trinity River trip brought me back to reality through not only reminding me of how precious our surroundings are, but also by putting my priorities into perspective. Too often do we as humans focus on the mini day-to-day tasks when it would be more beneficial to look at the big picture that overarches one’s life. I agree that it is important to be productive and to work diligently to achieve all tasks, however, it is within this laser focus that we forget to appreciate the world we live in and the people that make it up. While floating down the river, I was able to merely enjoy my time, and I say merely as if it was not a big deal; however, being able to enjoy these five hours of “non-productivity” proved to be way more productive than as if I had been sitting in the library “accomplishing” tasks. I was able to make new friends, regain my positive and upbeat energy, and relax in such a way that I am not able to do in the “real” world on land.

            There is a direct analogy to be made between how I was and am now thinking about life, and how I was and am now thinking about the Trinity River. I have already made it clear that I regained focus about the important things in life while on the canoe trip; however, it is interesting to note that this same perspective can be applied to the river. When I first signed up to go on the paddle, I was excited yet slightly unsure of what to expect. I have always heard about how gross and unmaintained the Trinity River is, and although I would have to agree to a certain extent, the beauty does not lie within the small details but in the big picture. Yes, there was trash, some areas of murky water, and sleepers (fallen down trees below the water), but one must look past these small flaws in order to experience the benefit and magnificence that this area has to offer. Instead of focusing on the minute aspects of the seemingly undesirable river, I chose to look at the overall impact that these surroundings had on me, and it was through this perspective that I regained my appreciation for nature and the big picture in life. A person’s outlook is all about their perspective, and it was on the Trinity River, a sanctuary away from life getting in the way of life, that I realized this great connection and idea.