I am so glad that this week (at least for me in terms of classes) is over. It felt like such a short week...maybe we should always have Monday's off. Anyway, I was going through my emails and I realized that I had quite a few responses from my blogs that I would like to share with my readers. But, before I begin I would like to express my gratitude for taking the time to email me your thoughts about my blog. I think my appreciativeness can best be summarized in the words of the great English poet William Shakespeare: "I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks."
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Amin, I really enjoyed your bit about budgeting your time. Like you, I work, go to school, all while having to deal with the transition of going to a university so I can understand how important this can be. However, I am still working on not procrastinating which, I'll have to admit, is pretty tempting sometimes. I think setting my schedule in 2 hour increments is a good start for me as well. I was really surprised though at how your professor was able to study from 8 in the morning all the way until midnight. Now that is some SERIOUS STUDYING!! Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I understand where you are coming from and you are not alone. Keep up the good work.
This email added some fire into my stomach and motivated me to maintain my rigorous schedule. I was so glad to read from someone that was facing a similar suituation, I would be interested to know how that student is doing keeping up with such a busy life.
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Hey Amin, way to go on the environmental science piece. I feel really passionate about the enviroment and I love to see more people feeling the same way. I have heard about 21 Acres, but I never got to see it for myself. From your description of the place, it sound like their really into cultivating the land and working with animals in a environmentally friendly way. It will be exciting to watch it grow in the future months and see they reach their goal of providing NATURAL food for the whole community.
I agree with what they said about the whole concept of "organic." Being a consumer of only organic products I didn't realize truly what I was buying, or what organic has now come to mean. It almost sounds like the term has been manipulated in order to suit the demands of big companies that promote unhealthy, chemicalized foods. It was rediculous to read how these large food corporations have the audacity to make Oreos and call it "organic." What nerve these people have!
I am curious to know how 21 Acres fits into the global context considering the fact that we humans are the main culprits for polluting the Earth not to mention the whole deal about the intensification of agriculture sparked by the "Green Revolution." I hope that people take note of what these local farmers are doing. I'm acutually going to start planning on buying my food straight from the local farmers market. This is so that I know where my food is coming from and I can establish a relationship with the farmer.
When I went to this field trip, I hadn't really thought about the effects 21 Acres or farms such as that one will play out in the world. Maybe people will use projects such as this one as an example of how to be more environmentally aware and take action.
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"Thanks for the blog! I’m a philosophical sponge as well…glad to know there are others!"
This one was from a professor from interdisciplinary arts and sciences department at UW-B. I was honored to read what a professor thought of my work. I hope I find others who are "philosophical sponges" as well.
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So, thank you for your wonderful responses. I know I left out a few emails from students, but I would like to thank those people as well for sharing their opinions.
There is a ski trip offered to this year's freshman that I am really looking forward to. We are going to go to canada for a weekend! You know what that means...skiing, snowboarding, and sight seeing. I guess were staying in a really nice place.
The final details are still being worked out, and the cost is relatively chep as it will pay for the ski lift and room, transportation and maybe a nice dinner. I've never gone skiing or snowboarding before but I am looking forward to the experience and I hope other freshman will join us.
There is will be a short lecture on global warming on Nov. 28th at around 4;00pm in the UW-2 building room 005. This lecture will be followed by the showing of Al Gore's award winning movie "An Inconvenient Truth."
This will be a great opportunity for those who are not familiar with the current environmental issues and want to learn more. FREE FOOD AND DRINKS will be AVAILABLE to all UWB STUDENTS!!
Well, I guess that concludes another day in the life of a UWB student. I think there are only about 4 more weeks of school left, so start making plans for what to do once schools out. This is Amin, signing off!
Questions or Comments?
email me: aminm11@u.washington.edu