The best assignment that I chose was the Group Project. It taught me that teamwork is important. It opened my eyes to different communication styles, different backgrounds, different thoughts and different ideas. It was a longer process than just the usual assignment: read or watch: then blog. (Don't get me wrong, I learned a lot from these assignments.) I learned from our group project that we all have something unique to offer, and that our hands on project was something very inspirational that has made me realize my actions. It has changed the way I do things as a consumer and it has taught me to be more aware of my surroundings. This assignment has shown me that all the assignments that I have done through out this semester has important meaning and to incorporate this material throughout my lifestyle in my future.
The link http:www.storyofstuff.com/ was probably the most memorable. It made me think and realize the choices I was making as a consumer was not very good. It showed me that I was teaching my kids and others to be just like me. I buy so many things that I don't need and I realized that I was buying in to all that media and advertisements that are so easy to get wrapped up in. I even talked about it to my mom and explained to her that her actions as a consumer was just like mines and that she needed to watch this short clip of stuff too.
One of the first readings was very interesting when I read Chapter 8 in Environmental Communication and The Public Sphere. It just showed me that I knew very little about this topic that I was about to take a course in. It opened my eyes to different tragedies that were occuring right under my eyes and it opened me up to lingo that I have never heard of too.
All the projects were good. But the project that I enjoyed the most was: Organic Gardening, Farming, and Our Ecosystem. The reason I chose this project is because in the beginning of our class, I wanted to learn further about this topic. I have 6 acres of land and that is exactly what I wanted to do was to begin an organic farm and grow my fruits/vegetables locally. After reading about this through this project, I am glad to know that it is not easy and that it does require a lot of work to have an organic farm. The topic interested me and I learned a lot from reading their paper including different types of fertilizers and the different methods that some of the farmers used.
The most important thing that I learned in this course is that I have a lot to learn. I am more aware now that I have taken this class and it has shown me to get involved more with life, the world and my community. I really enjoyed this class and I am looking forward to learning more about these topics. As I learn, I want to share with others what they can do to become involved with making our world a better place!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
5.5 Sustainability and Education
Sustainability and education is getting farther than I ever heard about before. There are so many opportunities now available for our future leaders, ourselves and through so many different efforts. Education from colleges, workshops on sustainability, different movements are all being put in place to make it easier for us to join and find out what is really going on. If we are aware of the different opportunities available to get involved; we will. I like the fact that one site encouraged taking time off after high school to just work in the land, travel and become one of a culture that grows their own food. We now hurry off to school after we're finish with high school and have no skills regarding working in the fields, or hands on to take care of ourselves and families. We have lost our values at times and joined in with what we find easiest to do. I find myself taking time out to now buy locally, save energy and share information that I have learned through this class alone. I have been educated and what will I do now with it? The fact that being educated is so important and different green opportunities are available through these education systems are great. Charter schools, community living, non-violence, spirituality, working for our food instead of buying it from the store are all examples of what we can tap into. We need to tap into our resources and allow others to tap into our resources and get educated. By helping each other out we will learn in the process that we are really helping ourselves and our future generations.
5.4 Sustainability and Diversity
We currently have a chance to make a difference. We may join others in what efforts have already been started and join the movement of self sustainability, working together and having violent free communities. The only ones who will benefit is the ones who are willing to help out and help themselves. Green jobs are now being available and as this whole idea becomes bigger; maybe things will become better. There are more jobs, opportunities that are becoming available so that we will be educated in that area. The over exploitation that we are doing to ourselves have just become habit and we need to get back and join back into what we were originally taught by our parents, and ancestors. The sustainability movement will get more followers and that will become the right thing to do. We need to follow the systems approach and hopefully in the future we will see some results of the good that we are doing and not only the bad. Again, we need to pull together and get the word out about what is really going on and lift a hand to help with solutions. We need to stop dividing and become a whole. Everyone is human, and we need to put our differences aside.
"5.3 Social and Environmental Justice in Hawaii"
Desperate poverty is faced on our beautiful islands of Hawaii. Although the islands are not portrayed like it really is; it's real. We have so many homeless, jobless and people in need here in Hawaii. What's wrong with homeless and jobless if they are able to survive. That is what they know: catch their own food, take care of their children, grow, trade and help one another. I recently visited Waianae in O'ahu last month and seen with my own eyes what is going on. I was so surprised to see what was really going on in Hawaii. I did not know this was a such a problem and always thought that we did not have this problem as much as the other countries. I had thoughts of what is portrayed too; Hawaii is a great place, a beautiful place and a place that wants to be visited by tourists around the world. Our native people have been affected since 1893 when our land was overthrown by the government. It was done illegally and still the government continues to ruin the land, the people and their values. They have caused destruction and the people are hurting. They are being moved and not being able to remain on their land. It is getting worst and I hope that something gets done really soon that will take back what was given to us. It is a really sad story and the Hawaiian culture will soon be lost if nothing happens. The military have taken over and the families are suffering. Even though I am not involved with sovereignty, I feel that the people have a right to what has been and a right to get back what is legally theirs. Self sufficiency is a principle that is followed by the people and that is being taken away too. This situation is out of control....The Hawaiian culture will soon be gone and it seems that what the government wants they will have because of the power and control that they have possessed. The Hawaiians will not stop fighting ever and they need to keep trying to get what is theirs. This assignment has really made me realize that we've been violated and we need to fight harder than ever. It makes me realize more and more what the government has done.
"5.2 Sustainability, Health & Healing"
After reading in Beyond You and me- The system of taking care of yourself eventually leads into the systems theory. If you are willing to keep yourself happy, healthy and helpful towards others-change for the better may occur. By taking certain steps such as meditation, exercise or volunteering, you become more healthy both mind and body wise. By becoming aware of our needs, others and keeping good relationships; we tend to realize that we are all one and we live better. We become mindful and begin completing steps in order to live a more sustainable life that includes healing.
Sicko- Sicko is a documentary based on facts that people have with medical care and other related issues. I don't have too much knowledge regarding this topic which encourages me to get the DVD. There is a lot of issues that the United States deal with regarding medical. Other countries are better off than us in the area of medical care, regardless of the millions of dollars that we spend each year. We are #37 ranked amongst the rest and that is very sad. We need to get a better system in order to get the correct health care. We need to adopt another type of medical care system so that everyone has equal and fair medical attention. I even read that our life span is shortened due to this fact alone. Additional information is needed for me to form my ultimate opinion. I will be renting the DVD.
Sicko- Sicko is a documentary based on facts that people have with medical care and other related issues. I don't have too much knowledge regarding this topic which encourages me to get the DVD. There is a lot of issues that the United States deal with regarding medical. Other countries are better off than us in the area of medical care, regardless of the millions of dollars that we spend each year. We are #37 ranked amongst the rest and that is very sad. We need to get a better system in order to get the correct health care. We need to adopt another type of medical care system so that everyone has equal and fair medical attention. I even read that our life span is shortened due to this fact alone. Additional information is needed for me to form my ultimate opinion. I will be renting the DVD.
"Systems Theory"
1. Relating the Story of Stuff to Culture:
The clip on "stuff" opened up new thoughts in my head regarding all the stuff that we consume. When you take time out to think about what happens every time a new "stuff" is made, it's pretty scary. All the chemicals, energy, costs that are put into each product made is hazardous for our earth and for us. I enjoy stuff and in our culture we are the same. Buy stuff, buy more stuff, throw them away, and buy more. I don't know how that came about, but we are ruining our planet and depleting the natural resources too. Recycling is good but not good enough. We need to take extra steps and change our mind frame about this important subject. It's become a habit to buy stuff and buy the technology stuff too that make it easier. We also like to have the most "in" thing no matter how old you are. To stop buying so much stuff will be difficult for me, but I will try to be more mindful with my purchases.
2. Three Systems connecting to sustainability from the clip are: Energy, environment and economic development. The Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future offer education in these areas to change the minds or create new ways of making real progress for humanity. Because all of the topics listed above are interchangeable and affect one another; the center and its people are trying to create something broad that will work and encourage others to do the same in our future.
3. The environmental justice clip was very interesting. It was very creative in showing the viewers about sustainability, culture and communication. We have to be aware of all the natural resources that are being depleted and to make sure that we take on new sustaining ways in order to keep our earth going. Our world may run out of certain resources soon and the only one that we have to blame will be ourselves. We need to communicate to one another and get the word out that we can help out and step up in sustainability. We can communicate what we know to others and create new culture and new ways of doing things.
The clip on "stuff" opened up new thoughts in my head regarding all the stuff that we consume. When you take time out to think about what happens every time a new "stuff" is made, it's pretty scary. All the chemicals, energy, costs that are put into each product made is hazardous for our earth and for us. I enjoy stuff and in our culture we are the same. Buy stuff, buy more stuff, throw them away, and buy more. I don't know how that came about, but we are ruining our planet and depleting the natural resources too. Recycling is good but not good enough. We need to take extra steps and change our mind frame about this important subject. It's become a habit to buy stuff and buy the technology stuff too that make it easier. We also like to have the most "in" thing no matter how old you are. To stop buying so much stuff will be difficult for me, but I will try to be more mindful with my purchases.
2. Three Systems connecting to sustainability from the clip are: Energy, environment and economic development. The Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future offer education in these areas to change the minds or create new ways of making real progress for humanity. Because all of the topics listed above are interchangeable and affect one another; the center and its people are trying to create something broad that will work and encourage others to do the same in our future.
3. The environmental justice clip was very interesting. It was very creative in showing the viewers about sustainability, culture and communication. We have to be aware of all the natural resources that are being depleted and to make sure that we take on new sustaining ways in order to keep our earth going. Our world may run out of certain resources soon and the only one that we have to blame will be ourselves. We need to communicate to one another and get the word out that we can help out and step up in sustainability. We can communicate what we know to others and create new culture and new ways of doing things.
Monday, November 8, 2010
"Group Contract"
Team 3: Today not Tomorrow
We have definitely had challenges working through this project. Even though I was assigned with being the leader; the other teammates contribute just as much. We expect each other to be on the same page and complete all tasks equally.
Communication is a big part of team process and we try our best to get in touch with the others. At times, an e-mail does not get to the designated person or not in a timely manner and communication is lost. We have experienced this more than once and with more than one person. At that time, both parties may feel left out or even irritated. It is at that time, that we should take extra measures in order to make sure everyone is still a team.
For our group project we decided to volunteer and help clean up South Point beach on Saturday November 13, 2010. We found this volunteer project through the university and Student Service Corps.
Our group expectations consist of meeting times, information we have to discuss during the meeting, member responsibilities, and communicating about missing or switching meeting times and dates.
For our group meetings we communicate through email, phone calls, and skype. We have all agreed upon being in charge of taking the minutes for when we meet and posting them on the blog. As a group we have all agreed that meeting though skype works best for us because of people's work, class, and personal schedules. If one of the group members are not able to attend the meeting they will let us know via email or phone so we can fill them in or move the date to accommodate everyone.
The jobs assigned to each person have been assigned and are expected to be complete, if they are not one of the other members or the remaining members in the group will complete this but will take note of the absence.
If there is anything else that should be added to this assignment, please let me know. Thanks!
We have definitely had challenges working through this project. Even though I was assigned with being the leader; the other teammates contribute just as much. We expect each other to be on the same page and complete all tasks equally.
Communication is a big part of team process and we try our best to get in touch with the others. At times, an e-mail does not get to the designated person or not in a timely manner and communication is lost. We have experienced this more than once and with more than one person. At that time, both parties may feel left out or even irritated. It is at that time, that we should take extra measures in order to make sure everyone is still a team.
For our group project we decided to volunteer and help clean up South Point beach on Saturday November 13, 2010. We found this volunteer project through the university and Student Service Corps.
Our group expectations consist of meeting times, information we have to discuss during the meeting, member responsibilities, and communicating about missing or switching meeting times and dates.
For our group meetings we communicate through email, phone calls, and skype. We have all agreed upon being in charge of taking the minutes for when we meet and posting them on the blog. As a group we have all agreed that meeting though skype works best for us because of people's work, class, and personal schedules. If one of the group members are not able to attend the meeting they will let us know via email or phone so we can fill them in or move the date to accommodate everyone.
The jobs assigned to each person have been assigned and are expected to be complete, if they are not one of the other members or the remaining members in the group will complete this but will take note of the absence.
If there is anything else that should be added to this assignment, please let me know. Thanks!
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