Today I stumbled across Sara Bernard's blog (you can find the link on the side-bar under "Other Blogs" and entitled "Sara") in which there are many pictures of her adventures in Peru (and Haiti), including some of me and others working at PSF. Thus, I've been obsessing about Peru all day...
Still doing tons of reading, though I haven't been taking enough notes to really call it research. But I got 3 of my class books in the mail so far and am itching to dig into those. I realized today that I actually used one of them for my research last year.
EVENTUALLY I will actually write another blog for the Student Architects site (also listed on the side-bar). I have many topics to choose from to write about; my research from last year, my work in Peru, my research now, or my program at school. This is something I should have done over break. I'm gonna be gone the next 2-3 days and then only have the weekend before the new quarter starts. Then the real chaos commences. I'm thinking of picking up a couple more hours at work to save for my trip. And last night Annie reminded me that I can apply for scholarships. DUH. That would make this so much easier. So I need to get on that too.
Its never-ending, but I love it.
Now back to packing for Baker.
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Dumb question.
I got about 2 minutes of climbing before Tyler pulled me off the tiny wall in Feathered Friends yesterday. I dunno, he's worried about me falling and re-injuring my ankles or something ridiculous like that. *sigh* he's right though; I really shouldn't push it (and I was climbing in street shoes). But, I'm seriously going insane without physical activity; already sick of push-ups and I've only done all of about 10. Running isn't ankle rehab. What do other climbers do when they are out of commission? Finger exercises? Check. Visualization? Double check. Looking at climbing pictures, movies, books? Check, check, check. Shopping for a crash pad? OH YEA. Speaking of, I am looking into getting an Organic (Organic Climbing Co). All the reviews say even though they cost more, the extra money is totally worth it because they are hand-made to-order with materials from the US and with personalization options based on buyer's color and style preferences. AND supposedly they last longer than most of those big name companies. Any other crash-pad shopping insights out there? One of the main selling points of Organic for me is that the foam they use is soy-based. Trust me, I know there are many many many downfalls to using soy products, but after seeing first-hand the process of making standard foam when we visited Dow Chemical with NYSC, it seems an intelligent trade-off to make in a circumstance. Besides, from all the chemicals they were putting into the machine at Dow I was fairly convinced they were creating their very own Rocky Horror instead of foam. And although Rocky wouldn't be terrible to find next to you on the mattress, I'm not sure his rock-hard abs make the cut for high-ball landings, or even small ones. (And ick, I can't believe we sleep on those chemicals!)
Oh dear...
As you can probably gather, my mental processes aren't working at full capacity so I think I am gonna go shower, eat, then fix up a bike and ride it into town to meet Emily and go to the soccer party. Hopefully my ankles won't mind, and surely the rest of my body will love it. And if it is dry enough, there is no guarantee that I won't stop at the rock wall for a few. Low stuff only, I promise; I just gotta keep my arms up to strength so I'm not totally scrambling when I get back at it full speed ahead.
I got about 2 minutes of climbing before Tyler pulled me off the tiny wall in Feathered Friends yesterday. I dunno, he's worried about me falling and re-injuring my ankles or something ridiculous like that. *sigh* he's right though; I really shouldn't push it (and I was climbing in street shoes). But, I'm seriously going insane without physical activity; already sick of push-ups and I've only done all of about 10. Running isn't ankle rehab. What do other climbers do when they are out of commission? Finger exercises? Check. Visualization? Double check. Looking at climbing pictures, movies, books? Check, check, check. Shopping for a crash pad? OH YEA. Speaking of, I am looking into getting an Organic (Organic Climbing Co). All the reviews say even though they cost more, the extra money is totally worth it because they are hand-made to-order with materials from the US and with personalization options based on buyer's color and style preferences. AND supposedly they last longer than most of those big name companies. Any other crash-pad shopping insights out there? One of the main selling points of Organic for me is that the foam they use is soy-based. Trust me, I know there are many many many downfalls to using soy products, but after seeing first-hand the process of making standard foam when we visited Dow Chemical with NYSC, it seems an intelligent trade-off to make in a circumstance. Besides, from all the chemicals they were putting into the machine at Dow I was fairly convinced they were creating their very own Rocky Horror instead of foam. And although Rocky wouldn't be terrible to find next to you on the mattress, I'm not sure his rock-hard abs make the cut for high-ball landings, or even small ones. (And ick, I can't believe we sleep on those chemicals!)
Oh dear...
As you can probably gather, my mental processes aren't working at full capacity so I think I am gonna go shower, eat, then fix up a bike and ride it into town to meet Emily and go to the soccer party. Hopefully my ankles won't mind, and surely the rest of my body will love it. And if it is dry enough, there is no guarantee that I won't stop at the rock wall for a few. Low stuff only, I promise; I just gotta keep my arms up to strength so I'm not totally scrambling when I get back at it full speed ahead.
My ankles aren't fractured!
Which is great!
but uhhh, what's wrong with them then?!
Whatever it is, I am supposed to do lots of stretches and strengthening exercises. Oh, and not climb for at least another month. I just can't re-stress the injury or its gonna keep setting me back. So if I do top-roping only then I can't land on my ankles and I'm good to go. Problem: no top-roping at Evergreen. Solution: Get a month membership at The Warehouse. Problem: I need another person to top-rope. Solution: Who's with me?
Oh, and I need to decide whether I am going back to Peru for Spring quarter, or next Fall. In the meantime, I need to figure out who is coming with me (or not); write my academic contract so I can get credit while working and researching in Pisco; look for places to stay when I spend time rock climbing in Lima.
I've been reading a pile of books since break started, mostly thinking further about appropriate technology and the influence of NGOs. I was also looking through my notes from camp and struck gold on a potential idea. Simply stated, the material inputs needed for the process I am looking into are biproducts that are available in Pisco. I would need to know how to harvest and combine them for this use. But I am no chemist. This is one of the reasons I am considering going next Fall; I could potentially get many of my scientific questions answered at NYSC this summer, and maybe even find someone who is interested in coming with me. Though... I'd be leaving for Peru shortly after camp (hopefully) and its hard to find people that spontaneous.
Another reason I am considering postponing the trip is so I can take a chemistry, or woodworking, or otherwise Pisco-relavent course (on top of the Designing Green design-build program) during Spring quarter.
On a more certain note:
I adore being at home! My family is just wonderful, and I am relishing down-time ...if you can call it that; I'm always working on something. I just mean I enjoy NOT having deadlines pressing down on me 24-7. So, apart from reading and research I have been hand-making creative gifts for my family, and teaching myself how to play the banjo. ^_^ AND I already ordered my books for next quarter which I can hopefully starting flipping through next week.
Which is great!
but uhhh, what's wrong with them then?!
Whatever it is, I am supposed to do lots of stretches and strengthening exercises. Oh, and not climb for at least another month. I just can't re-stress the injury or its gonna keep setting me back. So if I do top-roping only then I can't land on my ankles and I'm good to go. Problem: no top-roping at Evergreen. Solution: Get a month membership at The Warehouse. Problem: I need another person to top-rope. Solution: Who's with me?
Oh, and I need to decide whether I am going back to Peru for Spring quarter, or next Fall. In the meantime, I need to figure out who is coming with me (or not); write my academic contract so I can get credit while working and researching in Pisco; look for places to stay when I spend time rock climbing in Lima.
I've been reading a pile of books since break started, mostly thinking further about appropriate technology and the influence of NGOs. I was also looking through my notes from camp and struck gold on a potential idea. Simply stated, the material inputs needed for the process I am looking into are biproducts that are available in Pisco. I would need to know how to harvest and combine them for this use. But I am no chemist. This is one of the reasons I am considering going next Fall; I could potentially get many of my scientific questions answered at NYSC this summer, and maybe even find someone who is interested in coming with me. Though... I'd be leaving for Peru shortly after camp (hopefully) and its hard to find people that spontaneous.
Another reason I am considering postponing the trip is so I can take a chemistry, or woodworking, or otherwise Pisco-relavent course (on top of the Designing Green design-build program) during Spring quarter.
On a more certain note:
I adore being at home! My family is just wonderful, and I am relishing down-time ...if you can call it that; I'm always working on something. I just mean I enjoy NOT having deadlines pressing down on me 24-7. So, apart from reading and research I have been hand-making creative gifts for my family, and teaching myself how to play the banjo. ^_^ AND I already ordered my books for next quarter which I can hopefully starting flipping through next week.
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space.
In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response. In our
response lies our growth and freedom." - Viktor E. Frankl
I trust most people I know with my heart... and that continually seems to turn into a mistake. Unfortunately it is the only way I know how to live, and it is something I believe in... to give someone trust until they give you a reason not to, and even then, to do your best to forgive them, or be understanding about the situation.----------------------------------------------------
but it just keeps getting harder.
"goodness is more important than greatness, compassion is more important than passion."
"sleight of hand can't separate your body from the dirt its standing on today." -Modest Mouse
but I guess nothing can.
but I guess nothing can.
Woodworking... 5:30-9:30 Monday OR Tuesday.
Do I dare take on 4 more credits?
Oh, wait. Its only for Spring Quarter. Guess that's a no.
So, Intermediate Spanish is probably a no as far as my skill level. But I could audit Spanish Beginning 2 again, because Arleen is teaching it. I'm sure she'd be cool with that. Sweet, then I can just show up to class when I can. Yes! I shall email her.
And I could take Ballet! Oh, I am so tempted. It is only two credits and it meets Wednesday between when I have class and work (so some of my climbing time...)
Think, think, think.
Oh, I just want to do everything!
Do I dare take on 4 more credits?
Oh, wait. Its only for Spring Quarter. Guess that's a no.
So, Intermediate Spanish is probably a no as far as my skill level. But I could audit Spanish Beginning 2 again, because Arleen is teaching it. I'm sure she'd be cool with that. Sweet, then I can just show up to class when I can. Yes! I shall email her.
And I could take Ballet! Oh, I am so tempted. It is only two credits and it meets Wednesday between when I have class and work (so some of my climbing time...)
Think, think, think.
Oh, I just want to do everything!
"The rose grows thorns so that it can be looked upon but not touched. Yet we who deem ourselves worthy approach it and give what we feel are gentle caresses of love and wonder; we dethorn it and give it chemicals to stave off intruders we are jealous of, and transplant and grow it, and use it to show our own purposes. Though all the while the rose cries silent and dreams of a garden filled with the fragrance and blossoms of its own kin."
I am not only sick of, but also heartbroken by how much neglect, ignorance, laziness, stupidity and irresponsibility we allow to persist in ourselves as individuals.
One of my friends posted on facebook this morning saying "I am the luckiest girl alive today because that cop didn't give me a DUI."
No, she is lucky she didn't fucking kill anyone last night. I don't know how drunk she was, but if she thinks she deserved a DUI, then she was drunk enough to not be driving. I am discouraged about things like this. I'm just starting to wonder if the majority of people just don't think, or if they don't care, or if they just don't realize that being alive in this day, in this country, comes with responsibilities that we must begin considering. And we must also consider that our intentions, and actions, and in-actions, have a profound effect on the other lives we share this world with.
I am empowered to see people here at Evergreen taking responsibility for their roles in this world. Trevor Van Dyke, a fellow writing tutor, is one of my heroes. He is constantly working toward equality in human/human, human/animal relationships. He has bettered himself by removing all animal products from his diet (including honey). He attends and participates in probably daily meetings with such groups as Amnesty International, Student Union, ect. I go to his facebook and the first thing I see is his newsfeed:
One of my friends posted on facebook this morning saying "I am the luckiest girl alive today because that cop didn't give me a DUI."
No, she is lucky she didn't fucking kill anyone last night. I don't know how drunk she was, but if she thinks she deserved a DUI, then she was drunk enough to not be driving. I am discouraged about things like this. I'm just starting to wonder if the majority of people just don't think, or if they don't care, or if they just don't realize that being alive in this day, in this country, comes with responsibilities that we must begin considering. And we must also consider that our intentions, and actions, and in-actions, have a profound effect on the other lives we share this world with.
I am empowered to see people here at Evergreen taking responsibility for their roles in this world. Trevor Van Dyke, a fellow writing tutor, is one of my heroes. He is constantly working toward equality in human/human, human/animal relationships. He has bettered himself by removing all animal products from his diet (including honey). He attends and participates in probably daily meetings with such groups as Amnesty International, Student Union, ect. I go to his facebook and the first thing I see is his newsfeed:
Trevor is attending Criminales Todos: A Community Art Exhibit.
Trevor is attending TransGuys Community Awards Voting.
Trevor is attending Oly Childcare Collective Volunteer Orientation!
Trevor is attending Student Activities Brunch.
Trevor attended International Transgender Day of Remembrance Candlelit Vigil.
Trevor attended SDS Budget Hearing.
Trevor attended Save the Loft Action Meeting.
and two articles he posted about gay rights, and two more articles he posted protesting violent law enforcement, and the list just goes on.
He doesn't drink, and he rides the bus or his bike, so he doesn't have to worry about getting a DUI, or hurting anyone in a car.
He dedicates his life and his time to bettering the world, to being involved in the community, to learning, to supporting individuals and the collective whole.
He is what I aspire to be like. He is incredible, responsible.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
You know, we as a species have decided that we are entitled to "rights". And we founded this country on this ethereal idea of a freedom that we are entitled to, as well as an idea of equality. If we truly believe in these ideas, we must also realize there is a breaking point between freedom and equality. I am starting to think we can't have both. There seems to be a point where selfishness just won't do, and we are far beyond that point, scale-wise. Because of the amount of people we share this world with, we don't have the same freedom or rights we had on a smaller scale. I believe we have collectively lost our individual rights because so many individuals have taken so much advantage of the "freedom" they are privileged to have, and because of that we deny it to others. One major illustration of this is the distribution of wealth in this country. That is unequal, and it doesn't represent collective freedom at all. So we have neither. We have revoked our combined freedom and equality because too many have too little, because too many (albeit, comparatively few, to the have-nots) have too much. I think that's what I meant by "individual liberty destroying collective liberty."
Just think about it... You will probably disagree, but I stand by it: we don't have the freedom to do whatever we want, whenever we want. Not anymore. And if we believe in the "core values" of this "country" then I would think we would want to do something about this in our own lives...
Well, this is what I believe, but I think I've realized I'm not going to convince you to change. So whats the point of writing in this blog then? I guess its part of my way of trying to make a difference. I think all we can do is try anyway.
Again, I am inviting comments, questions, rebuttal. Please. I know I have been fairly vague... But I don't have to be, so just let me know what you wanna hear/talk more about.
Trevor is attending Oly Childcare Collective Volunteer Orientation!
Trevor is attending Student Activities Brunch.
Trevor attended International Transgender Day of Remembrance Candlelit Vigil.
Trevor attended SDS Budget Hearing.
Trevor attended Save the Loft Action Meeting.
and two articles he posted about gay rights, and two more articles he posted protesting violent law enforcement, and the list just goes on.
He doesn't drink, and he rides the bus or his bike, so he doesn't have to worry about getting a DUI, or hurting anyone in a car.
He dedicates his life and his time to bettering the world, to being involved in the community, to learning, to supporting individuals and the collective whole.
He is what I aspire to be like. He is incredible, responsible.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
You know, we as a species have decided that we are entitled to "rights". And we founded this country on this ethereal idea of a freedom that we are entitled to, as well as an idea of equality. If we truly believe in these ideas, we must also realize there is a breaking point between freedom and equality. I am starting to think we can't have both. There seems to be a point where selfishness just won't do, and we are far beyond that point, scale-wise. Because of the amount of people we share this world with, we don't have the same freedom or rights we had on a smaller scale. I believe we have collectively lost our individual rights because so many individuals have taken so much advantage of the "freedom" they are privileged to have, and because of that we deny it to others. One major illustration of this is the distribution of wealth in this country. That is unequal, and it doesn't represent collective freedom at all. So we have neither. We have revoked our combined freedom and equality because too many have too little, because too many (albeit, comparatively few, to the have-nots) have too much. I think that's what I meant by "individual liberty destroying collective liberty."
Just think about it... You will probably disagree, but I stand by it: we don't have the freedom to do whatever we want, whenever we want. Not anymore. And if we believe in the "core values" of this "country" then I would think we would want to do something about this in our own lives...
Well, this is what I believe, but I think I've realized I'm not going to convince you to change. So whats the point of writing in this blog then? I guess its part of my way of trying to make a difference. I think all we can do is try anyway.
Again, I am inviting comments, questions, rebuttal. Please. I know I have been fairly vague... But I don't have to be, so just let me know what you wanna hear/talk more about.
well I'm no cook (yet) but I might as well start trying stuff out especially if I want to continue enjoying meals and quit living off vegi pizza, side salads, and mushroom burritos.
Tonight I made
cous cous
with
vegetarian field roast sausage.
I am enjoying it for sure, but there are some conflicting flavors because the cous cous is Mediterranean flavor and tastes great by itself, and the sausage has its own strong flavor --its a bit appley-- so next time, I will switch that up. But the textures combined are enjoyable and since I can't really depend on cous cous as a meal in itself (though I have been) it was good to add a bit of something to it. For instance, protein. YAY.
And if I continue to climb like I have been recently (amazingly, if I do say so myself) then I should probably start keeping track of my diet more closely, especially my protein intake.
Oh, by the way, thanks to everyone who has been providing me with answers to my vegetarian questions. And thanks to everyone who has made me food on many occasions when I was too overwhelmed/weak/tired to do it myself (mainly, that would be Eric!).
Tonight I made
cous cous
with
vegetarian field roast sausage.
I am enjoying it for sure, but there are some conflicting flavors because the cous cous is Mediterranean flavor and tastes great by itself, and the sausage has its own strong flavor --its a bit appley-- so next time, I will switch that up. But the textures combined are enjoyable and since I can't really depend on cous cous as a meal in itself (though I have been) it was good to add a bit of something to it. For instance, protein. YAY.
And if I continue to climb like I have been recently (amazingly, if I do say so myself) then I should probably start keeping track of my diet more closely, especially my protein intake.
Oh, by the way, thanks to everyone who has been providing me with answers to my vegetarian questions. And thanks to everyone who has made me food on many occasions when I was too overwhelmed/weak/tired to do it myself (mainly, that would be Eric!).
