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.
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