Reinvention

I think everyone has desires to reinvent themselves.  Whether they would actually do it or not is questionable, but the thought has surely crossed their mind.  Chris McCandless does this to the extreme.  He drops everyone and everything he has in order to find himself and discover the world.  I personally would reinvent myself or just get out of this state for a while.  I want to go to Alaska and work for a summer.  I've always worked for my parents at home on the farm.  I feel like I would find out a lot about myself and learn to be responsible for doing things on my own.  It would be refreshing and a good way to meet new people.  I am familiar with a family that lives there because my family vacationed to their home ten years ago.  I would love to revisit and take in the Alaska air for awhile.

Christopher McCandless

Christopher McCandless was lost in himself.  In order to find himself he had to ignore all others and enjoy what the world had to offer him.  He searched for a higher power that came from nature.  This is relative to existentialism.  This man knew that there was something controlling him and he had to find out for himself.  I feel as though he was somewhat foolish.  He lacked some supplies that were important to survival.  If he really wanted to take the time to explore the aspects of nature, he should have prepared more.  Although he was very smart, the task he set out to do was not ideal.

Nature

Nature greatly affects me.  Without it, it would be hard to get by on a day to day basis.  I can always count on nature as a place to get away, get fresh air, and explore.  I live on a fruit farm so it is always nice to just go on a walk through the orchards or through the woods.  In the summer, I work with nature.  I help take care of the fruit along with my family.  It brings us together every year.  Animals are also a big part of nature and my family.  We go hunting and trapping throughout the year together.  The animals provide food for our table.  Nature is a huge part of my life and I take great comfort in it.

I think there is always a "need" to return to nature.  Today, everyone gets caught up with technology and it is important to get away and reconnect with nature.  Every year, about 40 of my family members campout for a night.  All day we cook food over the fire and go on long walks in the creek.  My younger cousins splash around and swim all day.  Each year we rebuild the dam that we started from the very first campout.  It is always a wonderful time for us to just sit around the campfire and reconnect in an environment that is so relaxing.  It is very necessary for us to "return to nature" once a year.  I think everyone should have this type of experience either once a year or at least once in a lifetime.

There is a definitely a relationship between nature and our spiritual side.  When you think of religion it is always connected to nature.  It has a lot to do with the heavens and how the world was created.  The creation of the world its self was something magical, natural, and spiritual.  When people pass away they are laid in the earth.  It is up to nature to take them onto the next step.  This is also a very spiritual process.

Nature is important in my life and should be important to many others' lives.  It connects us all spiritually and is a way to find relaxation.  We are surrounded by it day in and day out.

Response to Leo Tolstoy's short story

I feel as though our materialistic culture is not on the right path.  Much like Leo Tolstoy's short story, "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" our society is always looking for more.  Everyone is satisfied with a new technology but get bored with it.  They are always waiting for the next generation or new invention that will make us lazier (I'll admit to being a hypocrite).  If everyone simplified, then there wouldn't be a huge craze to want more.  With every new technology there are complaints.  This stirs up our culture even more.  The simpler the better.  It would be beneficial to focus on the people around us before our society becomes "socially retarded."

First Year of College

My first semester at Juniata College went better than expected.  Playing field hockey helped me manage my time and kept me busy.  The team was so helpful on and off the field.  I've made so many friends through being a part of such a unique team.  Once it ended, I almost had too much time.  It was hard to find the drive to get my work done, but I knew it was important to still keep up with it.  I figured out most of my professors and their expectations by the end of the semester.  I ended up with a pleasing GPA.  This semester I hope to stay on top of my work and not wait to do it last minute.  Although it was a  successful first semester, I would like to do even better this semester.  Over break I worked a lot.  I was ready to come back to school and get back into the routine of going to classes.  My classes are slightly more difficult so it will take more focus and time management.  I have not changed my major and I am anxious to learn more about becoming an elementary educator as well as learning more basics about entrepreneurship.