Heading into college and the year 2020 were very interesting least to say. Making lots of friends and memories made the experience so much smoother. A couple memories have had a lasting impact on me, that I’ll probably remember for the rest of college. A couple of favorite memories are actually from a few of the ENR events (the bird hike, Bob Ross painting, clean ups, and the field day). Those were so much fun! Just being around people who have similar passions about the environment, being outside, and enjoying human interaction (instead of being around your family haha). I specifically remember in the beginning of the year, a few other girl trailblazers and I tried to catch a drive-in movie. I picked them all up from their dorms but none of us had any clue where the place was (it ended up being at the Scioto Mile Park). The movie was playing Black Panther, once we arrived it was half way through and we couldn’t figure out how to work the speakers. Lots of chaotic good that night. Something else that I’ve really loved this past year is getting dinners with people who I would’ve dormed with…and every single time there would be something really crazy, more chaotic good. We went to Fazoli’s, RBG died that same hour and one of my friends stole a whole basket of breadsticks in her honor. Went to Bob Evans, there were baby ants all over the table. Went to Piada, witnessed a bird and a squirrel fighting. Went to Texas Roadhouse, had a really funny waiter who actually goes to OSU. Went to Panera on Lane, when we were walking back someone was doing donuts in the Morrill parking lot.
I think that this is one thing I’m excited for next year. Just being on campus and being able to hang out with people so much more frequently…especially because most of my friends will be in the towers again. Getting the dorm experience and being away from home, will hopefully help me feel more connected
When reflecting about this past school year, I have had so much personal growth. I feel more independent, confident, and focused. A lot of that self growth is coming from self-education and learning about the way our world works (especially systemic issues and the history that follows it). A lot of my classes actually touched on a few of these topics, like environmental injustice-which i could see following a career related to that. Specifically in my ENR 3500 class, we talk a lot about community development. Dr.Campbell gives us a lot of real-life resources/examples that happened not even 20 years ago. One example that really impacted me, was the community garden in Los Angeles. It was the largest communtiy urban garden in all of the United States, but many of the high income and those in authoritative positions didn’t like what the garden created. How many Mexican immigrants and blacks came together to provide healthy food options for themselves. Things got complicated & tense quick. But what ended up happening was they forced the people to leave the garden and they cleared the whole 14 acres. Just goes to show how much money and power influence cities and towns. Made me realize that environmental problems need to start at the government, for the most immediate change to occur :/