A Learning Experience

My attitudes about nature has evolved during this class adventure. I knew that the planet was in trouble, but I thought that no one was really doing anything about it. I chose to not think about the scary statistics, but this class made me look at them. I didn’t think that I was doing much to help “save” the environment but when I took this class all of the suggestions made to help, were stuff I had already been doing. I try to not use plastic bags at the grocery store. I mainly buy fresh, organic foods. I buy cage free and non-antibiotic eggs and chicken. I use organic soaps and cleaners around the house. I have a Brita filter to cut back on plastic bottle use. I also work on a farm all summer and sell fresh food at a local supermarket. I was surprised to see that things I thought were normal were actually helping. Although there is so much bad in the books we read, there was also some good. I didn’t know how many environmentally friendly things are going on in the world. Scotland is installing underwater wheels to create power. In Europe they are recycling trash to create power and will actually buy trash from other countries! There is also an icebox full of all of the world’s plant seeds and DNA from animals, in case they go extinct. Those types of stories are what gives me hope for the future. I discovered so many insightful people through the course of this semester. I found Wendell Berry through his enticing poems and the interview we watched in class. Berry used wisdom and words to outline his points. I found Bill Bryson through his book, “A Walk in the Woods.” Bill embedded humor and statistics into his adventurous storyline to capture my attention.  I found Tom Springer through his book, “Looking for Hickories” as well as his visit to our class. Last, but not least, I found Barbra Kingsolver through the book, “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle,” and the interview we watched of her. Barbra’s book captured me with the recipes and short data driven passages.

 

I learned a lot about myself as a writer this year. For starters I seem to have a problem with sentence fragments. Which I am probably using them as I write this, but I am working on it. Anyways, I love using quotes to begin my papers because I think they are both inviting and intriguing. The thing about quotes is that you can use them in any type of paper; whether it is as formal as a research essay, or as laid back as a blog. I have received positive feedback when using quotes and I plan to continue using them.  Another thing I have started doing is not being afraid to use semicolons. I have always been afraid to use them, and now, I have been using them a lot. Through our poetry essay, I have learned how to quote poetry, and use a block quote. Both the poem and research essay have allowed me to practice my transitions into quotes and between paragraphs. I was also introduced to the two part title. I think they make the paper look and sound a hundred times better! I think it is safe to say that I have learned many useful tips, and tricks about writing.

 

I think that blogging has made me reflect on my experiences with nature. I have always considered myself to be very fond of nature. I love being outside and spend most of my time there, but I don’t usually reflect on those experiences. I think it has been a pretty positive experience so far, especially because I am writing about something I love, nature.  I have always not been afraid to share my work but I was a little intimidated having experienced bloggers in my class. I still put my work up with pride and hoped for the best. I have never blogged before so it was a learning experience. I now know how to create and manage a blog if I want to do so in the future. Overall, I have learned a lot about the environment through course texts, and videos. I have learned a lot about my writing through essays and blogs, and I learned a lot about blogging through this blog experience.