Apparently I have no arms...
The night lights emerge
Madison on the slacklineI absolutely adore this beautiful place. As one who is studying the city, being able to view it from above is a very valuable perspective. I feel like all the people are ants and the buildings little boxes that can be manipulated and crushed with the touched of a finger. Instead of being powerless in the midst of these structures that are getting higher as the years go on, I can feel like I can make a difference despite the varying interests & activities of millions of people going about their daily lives. And it's just beautiful. The bay, bridges, lights, sunset colors, hills, trees...they all meld together in this breathtaking view that I can visit whenever I want. I am a lucky lucky girl. Well, woman.
REJOICE
Now, completely unrelated.
I got into all the classes I wanted!!!
After adding a meaningless lower division environmental design course in order to get units, I FINALLY got into my transportation class. Patience paid off because the professor said the chances were slim, but that I could stick around and see what happened. I went to every lecture and took notes hoping I would get in and BAM, I'm in.
Now I am just waiting on a Backpacking course (2 units) that is for fun. I had to "apply" to get in and am hoping they take me because I'd love to be involved with a group of like-minded outdoorspeople. Speaking of which, Madison and I went to this club meeting tonight called STEAM meaning Sustainability Team at Berkeley. It is SUPER COOL. We are getting involved with a clear cutting campaign to stop Cal from buying paper towels and toilet paper from a company that is clear cutting in the Boreal Forests of Canada. Lovin the Berkeley activism. The group also buys farmers market produce and brings it to campus and sells it for the same price...all to get the local movement going--the produce stand is called "The Local". I look forward to getting involved in their various projects.
Landscape Architecture
I'm getting into my classes and will hopefully be writing a research paper on Landscape Architecture in National Parks for my intro to landscape architecture course. I find the juxtaposition of "unaltered" nature preserved in the parks with manmade landscapes such as camping grounds and visitors centers to be fascinating. It really brings up the topic which I love pondering of what "nature" really is and why we choose to set it aside. If we decided it was worth saving and created arbitrary boundaries for our "parks" and set up public use areas for enjoying these areas with laws and restrictions, is that "natural"? How is an urban park designed by a landscape architect any different than a national park? Other than lacking the need to plant large quantities of flora...aren't they both planned and controlled by man? These are all interesting things I hope to address in my paper. Along with parks' uses of native plants and incorporation of natural elements in its planned landscapes. 7 weeks to write a 10-12 page paper. Amazing!!!
Also, check out Kenneth Helphand's Defiant Gardens book. FASCINATING lecture I went to the other night about gardens created in times of war and imprisonment in WWI, II and today.
Fitting In
Adapting to Berkeley life has been difficult despite the great classes and nice people I've met thus far. I am certainly lonely and miss my connections and friends in San Diego. I may complain about UCSD often, but I really do love it. Being at Berkeley has confirmed that for me. My education, jobs, clubs, friends, sorority, etc. I value them so much and wouldn't trade them for any other experience. San Diego is home and going back is going to be amazing. But I am grateful to be here in Berkeley getting a different perspective on college and learning to be in a new place all over again--I feel like a freshman all over again (cringe). I feel SO old. 21. Wow.
REJOICE
Now, completely unrelated.
I got into all the classes I wanted!!!
After adding a meaningless lower division environmental design course in order to get units, I FINALLY got into my transportation class. Patience paid off because the professor said the chances were slim, but that I could stick around and see what happened. I went to every lecture and took notes hoping I would get in and BAM, I'm in.
Now I am just waiting on a Backpacking course (2 units) that is for fun. I had to "apply" to get in and am hoping they take me because I'd love to be involved with a group of like-minded outdoorspeople. Speaking of which, Madison and I went to this club meeting tonight called STEAM meaning Sustainability Team at Berkeley. It is SUPER COOL. We are getting involved with a clear cutting campaign to stop Cal from buying paper towels and toilet paper from a company that is clear cutting in the Boreal Forests of Canada. Lovin the Berkeley activism. The group also buys farmers market produce and brings it to campus and sells it for the same price...all to get the local movement going--the produce stand is called "The Local". I look forward to getting involved in their various projects.
Landscape Architecture
I'm getting into my classes and will hopefully be writing a research paper on Landscape Architecture in National Parks for my intro to landscape architecture course. I find the juxtaposition of "unaltered" nature preserved in the parks with manmade landscapes such as camping grounds and visitors centers to be fascinating. It really brings up the topic which I love pondering of what "nature" really is and why we choose to set it aside. If we decided it was worth saving and created arbitrary boundaries for our "parks" and set up public use areas for enjoying these areas with laws and restrictions, is that "natural"? How is an urban park designed by a landscape architect any different than a national park? Other than lacking the need to plant large quantities of flora...aren't they both planned and controlled by man? These are all interesting things I hope to address in my paper. Along with parks' uses of native plants and incorporation of natural elements in its planned landscapes. 7 weeks to write a 10-12 page paper. Amazing!!!
Also, check out Kenneth Helphand's Defiant Gardens book. FASCINATING lecture I went to the other night about gardens created in times of war and imprisonment in WWI, II and today.
Fitting In
Adapting to Berkeley life has been difficult despite the great classes and nice people I've met thus far. I am certainly lonely and miss my connections and friends in San Diego. I may complain about UCSD often, but I really do love it. Being at Berkeley has confirmed that for me. My education, jobs, clubs, friends, sorority, etc. I value them so much and wouldn't trade them for any other experience. San Diego is home and going back is going to be amazing. But I am grateful to be here in Berkeley getting a different perspective on college and learning to be in a new place all over again--I feel like a freshman all over again (cringe). I feel SO old. 21. Wow.
Politics
Lastly, before I start reading my homework at 12:30am (typical), I am excited about the fact that George W. Bush will only be in office for less than 1 yr. Congrats to Hilary for winning California. I can't really decide how I feel about Obama and Clinton because these days all candidates are so moderate to appeal to all types of Dems as well as those on the fence. Take a stand dangit! Talk about what MATTERS! I want to hear candidates taking stands on the Iraq War and Global Warming. No more tiptoeing around the pertinent issues! Okay that's my rant for now.
okay homework, here I come...
Lastly, before I start reading my homework at 12:30am (typical), I am excited about the fact that George W. Bush will only be in office for less than 1 yr. Congrats to Hilary for winning California. I can't really decide how I feel about Obama and Clinton because these days all candidates are so moderate to appeal to all types of Dems as well as those on the fence. Take a stand dangit! Talk about what MATTERS! I want to hear candidates taking stands on the Iraq War and Global Warming. No more tiptoeing around the pertinent issues! Okay that's my rant for now.
okay homework, here I come...
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