The Casino District

Thursday, September 27, 2012

For this walking journal I was unable to make the journey because I am feeling really under the weather. However, I have spent a good few journeys in the casino district. And being from Las Vegas, I’ve had to come face to face with the reality that each “neighborhood” holds.

                For one that comes from out of state, casinos may be the highlight of their bucket list. Cheap buffets, gambling, excessive drinking, and a crazy experience are what they seek. But for the local resident, casinos still hold value, yet they are seen through a different perspective. An outsider sees a city of gambling and poor choices while the resident sees family neighborhoods that surround a district that is their livelihood since any Nevadan knows that gambling and tourism brings in the greatest revenue for the state.

                For me, I see the university as a safe haven where faculty, staff, and campus police work day and night to keep its students out of harm’s way. For those who have seen The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey, the main character, Truman, is born and raised on a television set which he thinks is reality. Everything he sees and hears and experiences is carefully chosen by the directors of the show. This can be paralleled with the events of the campus. Although the people present are all adults, the advertisements are censored and events approved by a special committee. The actions of its people are also controlled by the ones chosen to run the facility: campus police, resident directors, professors, employees. All has to be done according to a strict set of rules. It tries to bring diversity in the safest ways as possible.

                On the other hand, the casino district faces significantly less guidelines to what it can or cannot do. You may see pictures hanging from the front or sides of buildings with nearly naked woman. Then on another you may come across signs that advertise other adult shows or activities such as gambling or drinking. For those who aren’t from Reno, this becomes its identifying image.  This diversity that it offers is very open and out there regardless of its critics. Being scandalous is what makes it so intriguing.

However, if one is to travel further into the downtown area, one can discover the beauty of the Riverwalk along with its assortment of restaurants and local hangouts. This is a reminder that there is more to this city than just crude obscenities. The casino district is only a small glimpse of what Reno truly has to offer—quality education, the Truckee River, and community that has a strong spirit as it feels a sense of small town in a city atmosphere.

That is so interesting that the “casino district” used to be “off limits” for the college students. It’s as if though the students were continually being protected from the harsh reality of the world. I still do think that some students stay away from the area because of the vast amounts of wanderers and questionable people, yet it is a place that one can learn some street-smarts while also having a good time.

Riverwalk Magic...

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

                This was by far the craziest adventure I have gone on yet in terms of walking journals! So yesterday, Andrea and I decided that after a scrumptious Taco Tuesday snack we would take the Spirit to the downtown area.

At first, there weren’t that many questionable people. There were the elderly and college students. But as the stops went on further through downtown, the commuters became increasingly sketchy. There were people that made my gut feeling go into full force.

When we got off the Spirit, I wasn’t sure how to feel. On one hand there was a sight full of stunning architecture, but on the other hand there were men who walked the streets menacingly with their high pitched hyena laughs that traveled. However, the indescribable feeling I was experiencing stole my attention once more. Andrea and I went past the assortment of restaurants and local hangout spots.

Then, I saw it. I was even more breath-taken by what laid before my eyes. We were at the riverwalk around sunset, and I had never been there before. It was one of those moments that felt so surreal. One of those moments that only exists in your dream world. I was at a standstill. I saw the awe inspiring architectural designs that encompassed the mood of the river—warm and inviting. I understand it is very cold outside (I am definitely a Las Vegas girl) but still the water was echoing that of adventure as it glistened ever so tenderly as it flowed from West to East.

From time to time, I noticed the few details that made the riverwalk a part of reality—the graffiti under the bridge and the homeless wanderers. Yet, the beauty of it all was still present.

As a taxpayer, I always feel as if millions upon trillions of dollars are wasted on useless causes each year. It is very frustrating. But when I see shabby downtown areas made over into a mesmerizing scene I feel as if my taxes have gone to something that betters a city as well as the spirit of the people. I’ve always greatly appreciated that the United States is a place of vast landscapes that captivate the imagination and heart of all that experience its nature. With that, the riverwalk is an amazing spectacle that brings life to the Truckee River as it merrily serves the people of Reno and neighboring towns. 

The Mystifying Feeling of Nature

Sunday, September 23, 2012

                When it comes to nature, I find it easier to observe it early in the morning. So for this walking journal, I decided it would be best to wake up early and take a stroll through campus.

                Today started out so amazing. I woke up to the sound of a beautiful soundtrack from Hallmark called Mediterranean Breeze. I thought it would be fitting to start me off in a good feel nature mood. As I got ready, I decided to put on a light jacket because now that it is officially fall, I knew that it would be a bit chilly out. My ultimate destination was Manzanita Lake, but I took my sweet time getting there. Leaving my room, I enjoyed the rejuvenation of the world as the first beams of light made their way through the tall windows to my right as I always do. And as I got out of the elevator and walked out of the front doors, the surrounding noises captured my attention. I heard the energetic chirps of the birds that were already up and ready to begin a busy day. It continually amazes me how every Sunday is always sunny no matter how stormy days before or after it may be. That will always mystify me. I headed South on Virginia St. and heard the array of birds in their early morning glory. At that moment I decided to see if I could spot any. I’m not really sure if this is the correct name, but I saw a bunch of Sparrows hop around on the grass over by where the graceful stream of water flows down by the sidewalk. They were just so adorable. Then I decided to take the overhead crossing to the other side of the street. The way that the sun illuminates colors is always breath taking to me. I felt like I was in a different world as I was mesmerized by the beauty that the sunlight created in the overhead crossing. I never truly notice small things like this when it is extremely crowded. But at this time of day on a Sunday, there was no one around. Taking my usual route to Manzanita Lake, I passed the rose garden. What a beauty. It always makes me curious why that rose garden is there. There is a sign that says not to cut any of the flowers. But isn’t the original intention of any rose garden to give flowers to one’s beloved. So I think that the general public isn’t supposed to cut the flowers because they are reserve for the creator’s beloved. As I cut across the long grassy field that would get me closer to my destination, I felt the crisp cold air that the dew on the grass emitted. Finally, I made it to Manzanita Lake, and I sat there contemplating nature on campus. I stared at the glimmering water and noticed its calm stillness. Coming from Las Vegas, a place that doesn’t truly experience the four seasons, I realized that on campus nature seems all that more evident because it is more distinct in its season. As I sat there, the surrounding trees that were starting to change with the season would gently let some of their leaves fall swiftly to the ground with a gentle breeze. It was such an amazing sight.

                In terms of my research, I began to recognize how one’s environment does shape them. I have always been fortunate enough to live so close to several parks that preserved the experience of nature within a city. But for some, they may never have that to their disposal. And that’s when I began to think about the variable in the different methodologies I have read about that talked about accessibility to park, libraries, and museums. Then I realized what the transcendentalist poets were talking about. Understanding and being one with nature is critical to one’s success as a human. These thoughts are very disjoint right now but I see them becoming something great later.

A New Perspective

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

                For this walking journal, I decided to go on the same walk that I did for walking journal number five. This time, however, I went in the early morning. At seven o’clock on campus, all is still. Very few people roam campus at this time because most of them are still peacefully sleeping after a long night full of activities. So as I left my room, all I noticed was the fresh and delicate sunlight that peaked through the tall window and covered the crevasses of the pod. And as I continued down the hall, I felt a sense of serenity. As I breathed in the still air, I felt at ease. And leaving the front doors, it felt amazing to have the cool crisp air touch my skin and hear the birds chirp in their early morning delight. Crossing over the bridge I kept looking at how the sun hit the campus and gave it a new day of life. All that I saw, even in its least perfect form seemed so perfect as if it were supposed to always look so shabby or new. All seemed in its perfect place. And as I strolled around Manzanita Lake, all was… I don’t even know how to describe the feeling that it placed in me. It was as if all the world’s problems did not exist.

                Through all of this, I started to think about the walk I took where I noticed all of the advertisements on this path. Suddenly it became clear to me that during the hustle and bustle of the day, I am distracted by the fluff that is put into human life—advertisements, political ads, petty arguments, work, television.  But in the morning, none of that seemed to matter. My surrounding in the beauty and perfection of life itself is what consumed my thoughts and feelings. It was really nice to just forget everything else around me.

J4/J5 Transporting Politics

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

After chemistry class today, I had nothing but time to kill. So I went for a walk through my hall to put up posters. I was running for Vice President of Leadership Council. Therefore, with the election going on, there were advertisements everywhere. Each one was trying to convince me that their silly statement or obvious bribe was the reason I should vote for them. Adjacent to the campaign posters, there was an assortment of other flyers advertising things like movie night or resume workshops. Although each was unique, the one thing that each had in common was how outlandish the pictures and phrases were to grab the attention of its viewers.

As I continued my journey of time through the campus, it became apparent to me that the advertisements within the dorms are censored. All have to be approved when put up in the halls. But throughout all of the other buildings, it can go from simple job opportunities to signs advocating anarchy. I only decided to walk around the central part of campus and saw a lot of repeated posters. So when I came back to the Nevada Living Learning Community I saw that one of the rooms had a Romney campaign poster in his or her room. It made me so excited because as a hardcore conservative, it is rare to see any sign of other conservatives on a college campus. It made my day! Nothing really seems to offend me when it comes to advertisements because I truly am an advocate for true freedom of speech. I may not necessarily agree with what is being advertised all the time, but I will tolerate it because it reminds me of the beauty that being an American holds.

On another note, I feel like seeing these advertisements always reminds me of the things that I don’t always think about right away in the morning. These are the special things in life that I sometimes forget. For example, seeing the advertisements for events like pancakes at midnight urge me to go out and be a consumer as well as being a citizen by getting out and being a part of tradition. Then there are the political posters that are reminding me to go out and vote on Election Day. I am so excited to vote now that I am 18!

Overall, I usually pay attention to any new posters since I like to be aware of what is going on around me. Even if I won’t participate, I feel that it keeps me well informed of the life that fills the campus.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

                Well, I only had one class today. So here I am sitting and talking about my somewhat adventurous day out on the Nevada campus. Around noon, I thought it was finally time to get out of this room of mine and went with Sachini, my academic mentor, to the resume workshop in the Joe. When we were walking out of the building she said that we should probably take the shuttle. That kind of surprised me because I have been on foot the whole time I have lived here. I understand that the Joe is somewhat of a distance from the Nevada LLC, but honestly, it isn’t far enough for me to feel compelled to wait five minutes for the shuttle to come. I mean in the time that I would wait for the shuttle, I could’ve just walked up there and gotten some exercise.

                There is so much public transportation that is offered around here. I think it may be because it is a college campus. Even though we do have the shuttle that runs throughout campus and the bus system that runs through town, it really isn’t the best. Having been in Phoenix where there is the Light Rail and San Francisco with the Bart, I know that the public transportation within Nevada is substandard.

                On a personal scale, I see that a lot of people around here use things like skateboards and bicycles to get from point A to B. It doesn’t really seem all that time efficient. Because they have to follow paths that have ramps and what not, it takes them pretty much the same time as it takes me to walk to the location. And when I say this, I’m talking about things in the immediate area of campus. It kind of seems pointless to me to have all these other forms of transportation since college students aren’t getting that much physical activity and eating the greasiest food ever!

                It has become evident to me, that around here, the people the use the public transportation are medical students who have the greatest amount of distance to cover on campus, upperclassman who have burned out, and kids who are simply too lazy to walk ten minutes.

                However, I wish that the public transportation throughout Reno was better. I feel that my neighborhood is confined to this small little area because my best form of transportation has been my legs. And since this is more of city than a small town, things are spread out and not quite walking distance. Therefore, I can only hangout around here unless I find someone who drives.