July 23, 2011

Present
I have not written in a few days I need to do better with writing everyday. This past week has been an emotional roller coaster, but I have figured out why I go through this short depression. So I know what is causing it know I can combat the situation.
The class I am taking this quarter "Eco Systems Thinking for Sustainability" is GREAT. I am in increasing my body of knowledge on the topic of sustainability. I am noticing how having excessive stuff "materiality" harms the earth and self. I have also learned how having excess weight harms self and the earth. I know doctors have said that the excess weight cause different diesease etc etc. However I am learning its more than that, carrying around the excess weight is causing a person to have a decrease in their life quality, physcially, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This reduces your life cycle, and when a product or human does not life or function throughout their entire life cycle than its harming the environment and social culture. For example, we need elders to pass down knowledge to the younger generation, if your life cycle is ended prematuraly than there is a body of knowledge that is not being passed down to the younger generation.

Reflection
All I can say is that my knowledge base has increases tremendously since I started this program. Everything I have learned has helped me in my life and will continue to help me. The people I have met and encountered has shown me another world from the one I live in on a day to day basis. I am thankful everyday that I continued on this trek to obtain a Doctorate degree. It has changed my life, although it has been a journey of valleys and mountains. I am thankful I continued I have became a stronger individual. I continue to be impressed with my cohort and what we have learned and the bond that we share. Until next time.....


The Rainbow
Gen 9: 13-16
¹³ I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. ¹⁶ Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

Life on the Ponderosa

July 8, 2011

I have spent the last week at my parents farm, it has been so peaceful and good for the mind and soul. I have to admit I am not ready to go back to the city life, I wish I could stay here forever. When I come to the farm my life slows down and I get a glimspe of my childhood, the peace and quiet. I have truly observed the meaning of "less is more". I have not ate out all week and even my soda consumption has decreased, along with fuel consumption. I do not drive as much when I am at my parents.

Yesterday I went to Hennessey with my mom and had to stop and get fuel. I got out the car and was like how do I work this thing. It was the old version of a gas pump, I was like mom you going in to pay for the gas. She was like no just pump we pay later. You do not get this in Houston, LOL. This trip I do feel like I have an excess of stuff that I need to get rid of, this excess stuff is causing stress and a decrease in my quality of life. I need to change my ways can not study environmental and social sustainability and not live it. So I am headed back to Houston only because I have an interview. I am going back changed realizing that stuff does not and has not improved my quality of life. I have also learned that the last few years I have been searching for a job that pays what I used to make and not for a job that I will enjoy and be able to do what I love to do. Maybe that is the reason I am still searching, maybe that is the lesson to be learned.

An idea that I have been pondering on is instead of creating technology to create sustainability maybe its more intrinsic. Creating a better environment comes from within, the soul/spirituality of man and not from a product. I think I have a topic to write about.

Reflection

Okay so I finally got a response from Dodge I can only talk about him in reference to school, he works for a government entity and some of the things he told me is confidential. So Dodge is looking for work also, had an interview yesterday. He said it went well. I am glad. Dodge has became a good friend of mine, which I would have never thought. Another example of never change a book by its cover.

I remember the first residency one of my instructor said that this would be a journey to enjoy the good and the bad. I thought he was joking, he wasn't this has been a journey of good and bad, a journey of understanding who I am and what I am suppose to be doing on this earth. I am so so glad that I did not stop, if I had stopped I would have missed this wonderful person that I am becoming, I would have missed all the wondering things that I have been exposed to, I would have missed the oppurtunity to become the greatest that I can be. This was all because of many conversations that I had with people, angles that God sent down to share a wise thought, story of saying with me. I will always be greatful for these people, because they are a part of my journey. Now I refuse to stop becuase like my dad said I do not know what is around the corner, I do not know what person I will become and I am enjoying who I am becoming.

Isaiah 55:8- 9 (NIV)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Journey Continues- July 6, 2011

Present Day
The holiday is over so the Summer quarter is officially starting. The residency starts today but I am not there but will be in October. The classes that I am taking are Eco Systems Thinking for Sustainability (ESS 820) and Research and Writing (RW) VII. RW class we will be working on our dissertation. My goal for the quarter is to have my first draft of my literature review complete and to my mentor. I am missing Colorado Springs, I look forward to residency because I get to see my classmates and catch up with what has been going on with them since the last time I saw them. I guess this will have to wait until October, glad the majority of my class lives in Colorado Springs (COS).
I am in search of a book that will explain the book that I have "Being and Time" I have tried to read it but I am not understanding, wish I new German and could read the original transcript. Oh well have to find some Cliff Notes.
I am actually looking forward to my ESS class, this time it consist of a lot of reading and discussions. I am getting into the sustainability topic, I think it is very interesting although I lean more towards social sustainability.

Reflection 

My first residency I will always remember that was the first time I met my classmates. Some of my classmates would become friends of mine helping me through this journey and life. One classmate I will always remember (names have been changed to protect the innocent), Dodge, actually he had several conversations prior to the residency. This is the story of Dodge and I meeting. I remember we had to post a biography of ourselves prior to residency, so I posted and what do you know I had classmates living in Houston. So Dodge responded and I responded back. Oh I remember Dodge called me like 10 times all nervous and stuff. I was like why you nervous. He was nervous because he had read our instructors bio's, I was like that is great though that means they will have a lot to teach us. So of course I tried to calm him down and make him see the good in the situation. So we had agreed to meet at residency so we could put a name with a face. Well he knew what I looked like becuase I posted a pic, he didn't post a pic and I really didn't think about asking. So off to COS we went. The morning that residency started I went down to the lobby of the hotel I was staying in and was greeted by more people than I thought would be there. Who do I first meet when I walk in the door, Dodge. So that was the beginning of our friendship.
The journey for Colorado Technical University- Cohort 22 began with 35 students. 

Jerm 1:5- Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.. (NIV)