Journal Entry 1

First off, I would like to applaud Florida Gulf Coast University for being as smart as they are for requiring it's students to take a class on sustainability and finding our sense of place. I would also like to applaud the genius that decided only upperclassmen could enroll in this class.

I do not believe that I would be able to understand this subject if I were any younger. When I say, understand, I really mean it in the context of "appreciate." The realization that we are one with the environment comes to a person when he or she can be humble enough to realize that we are not the center of the universe. It comes to a person when they can realize that feeling small is extraordinary and not diminishing.

On my first trip to New York City two summers ago I believe I found that dwarfing moment. Walking out of Grand Central Station for the first time I took a moment to stop and look up into the skyscrapers and feel like I was apart of these thousands of people around me, regardless that I was traveling alone. I know, New York City is probably the worst example of environmentally friendly but, that was my moment. I think it takes those few extra candles on your birthday cake for a person to truly recognize beauty.

That's what this world is to me, beauty! Everything in it is beautiful, fascinating, and has a purpose. So needless to say, I was actually pretty excited to take this course. Still, even after the first day I am excited! I am very eager to go on our field trips. Its amazing that our University is one of the few who understand that hands on learning is most effective and environmental education should still be valued.  I hope that I can learn about our environment through my new eyes; These eyes that have been opened and flood fascinating information into my mind. I have been pretty proactive about our first assignment, Richard Louv's article on Nature Deficient Disorder. Let me say that I am fascinated already. Even the first assignment is a attention capturing subject that every one of us students could relate to. Perhaps a family member, a friend, or even ourselves have seen this first hand.
This is the perfect relation to my major as well. I study Health Science with a minor in Spanish and Marketing. Yes, off the wall, but I am here to better myself and I feel that I am accomplishing just that.

Becoming a well rounded person is the ideal concept of college; at least in my opinion. Some people have different views, views that focus on money as the success indicator. Please, do not call me a hypocrite. Of course I would like to make loads of money and live the good life on Palm Beach with Jimmy Buffett. However, If I could become well rounded enough, educated enough, experienced enough, I could share conversation with amazing people and learn from them as well. I crave this type of rich. Rich in culture and experience. I hope I can find these values in this class to carry me on in my future endeavors, even if its just to pass on the lessons learned.