3. Reflect upon the concept of sustainability as it relates to a) your career or academic major; b) your personal lifestyle; and c) university educati

Sustainability… oh goodness. What a big word. I think at first we think so many things are “sustainable,” or at least we want them to be. Tress that have stood tall for generations, through storms and such. Buildings that have become “historical” by withstanding natural decay. But, when you think about it, everything changes…in some way… in some form, so does that really make it “sustainable”?
I’m currently an education major. Now, we have had teachers for ... well, forever, and we will need them forever, so you could say that this is a very sustainable career. Yet, people that got laid off last year due to budget cuts, or have yet to be hired due to hiring freezes would probably disagree.
For the last five years I held a job as a registrar for a summer mission camp. I actually created this position when the ministry started growing and needed someone to help manage it. I would say that I had good job security. I moved with the company when they relocated their offices from South Florida to North Georgia and it looked like I would be there for a long time. I think of myself as a very loyal employee. I recently left said job on really good terms to go back to school. Does that make me “unsustainable” just because I changed my lifestyle? Am I any less reliable? (I don’t think so)
Many people complain that they are not in the field in which they received an education for. U for a very long time was not perusing a degree because it was not necessary at the time. People would argue that an University Education in these days are a lot less sustainable then they were in the past. More and more people are receiving them, making the job market harder and harder. Yet, a degree, in any field is still held very high. My best friend, who received a BSW holds a higher job title then many on her floor yet she is by far the youngest, due to that degree.

For something to really fit into the category of “sustainability”, we would have to keep the parameters pretty flexible. Is that the point though? For something to be “sustainable” it has to be able to adapt and meet the needs of the current time, or else…. It won’t sustain.

2. Where is your favorite place on campus and what makes this place attractive to you?

Oh where do I begin... well, this is actually my first semester as a student at FGCU so I really have not spent much time on campus recently. I say recently because back during my Senior year of High School (2004) I was on campus a whole lot visiting friends.

The campus has changed in many ways. I would have to say though that my favorite place on campus today is the same as it was years ago. I feel many people would say the same thing... but the beach front. It is not my favorite for the obvious reason of it being a beach, but because of the calming nature it holds. Though sometimes it is fun to be on a crowded beach, I more often than not prefer a more secluded area.

Years ago I used to walk out there with friends in the daytime, and since the student population was not as big as it is now, it really was nice and quiet. There hadn't been much development on the opposite bank so it really felt like a secluded place. At night, it was pretty incredible to sit and watch the sky. Being so close to the airport you could easily see all the airplanes lined up and ready for landing. You could count them, one-two-three-four-five... perfectly placed apart.

The beach area is still a really amazing place to hang out. It is crazy to see all the new buildings and such on the far side, it's a lot brighter at night. Now that I am a student (though I am a commuter) I hope to be able to utilize the boat rentals and enjoy some time out on the water, not just on land.

The beach front may not be as calm and quiet as it once was, but that's a good thing. FGCU is growing and it is nice to see the school, and the students, utilize it's great features.

1. Reflect upon your expectations for learning and outcomes from this colloquium class.

Well... here goes.

This is my first ever blog so I am not sure how well I will be at this. Even when everyone was using "LiveJournal" back in middle school, I wasn't interested. It is now required of me for actually a few of my classes, so I guess I will get the hang of it.

I have now had my first meeting of my Colloquium class (last tuesday). I will have to admit, though many students don't seem to be too excited... I am. I mean, when do you really get "field trips" in school anymore.

Though I know there is a lot to learn, I do feel as though this course will be more of a reminder to me. I realize I will be learning a lot more of the specifics and history of the environment, but I am an avid recycler so I feel maybe I have a leg up.

I was also very blessed to have gone to a wonderful elementary school, Edison Park Elementary. While some middle schools were dissecting animal eyes, I had already dissected a shark by the time I was in 5th grade. We took many trips throughout my years there, to places many other didn't get to go. When we went to the swamps, we didn't take the boardwalk, but would actually go wading through the mangroves. I heard that my former 5th grades teachers, Dr. & Mrs. Miller were actually leaders of a past Colloquium class, which would not surprise me at all. They are the best, and so passionate about the environment.

I do hope to get a better understanding of some of the organizations here in the area that are supportive of the environment. I have grown up in Fort Myers, but just like everyone else, can miss the thing around us.

So, here is to a new year and a new realization of all the things I do not know.