State Of The Planet

After reading State Of The Planet by Robert Hass, my eyes were opened toward literature about nature. When I first glanced at the writing, I was not sure about what I was to encounter. I’m not sure if I just didn’t know what literature about nature would look like or if I just couldn’t wrap my mind around the concept. Nature is anything outside of our doors, buildings, classrooms, offices, and cities. Therefore dissecting such a broad topic like nature seemed impossible to me.

It seemed as if Hass constructed this essay as a diary entry. Something with only one subject but no real structure to the essay. It was hard for me to adjust my reading to understand the work the way it should be understood. It was a difficult read for me. Not because of the vocabulary or the descriptions, but because I was searching for a point the entire essay. I wanted a reason. I eventually understood the work to be artistic literature. It was very much like scattered thoughts however when I looked closer I was able to grasp the artistic structure the essay was in.

Reading State Of The Planet made me think about nature in a new way. Growing up in a suburb of a large city in Florida, I was coincidentally surrounded by nature, however I rarely stepped outside of my air-conditioned car. I can honestly count on my fingers the amount of times I actually spent more than an hour in nature, taking it in, and appreciating everything around me. The passage that got me thinking the most is located on the first page under number two. It reads “Topsoil: going fast. Rivers: dammed and fouled. Cod: about fished out. Haddock: about fished out.” This passage convicted me and made my feel guilty about my lack of empathy for the earth. God gave us this magnificent world. To show him our appreciation we build buildings and destroy the beautiful world he created for us. God created this world. God made the trees and the flowers, the creatures, rivers, and oceans. He handcrafted everything that we so easily destroy. We are replacing magnificent, wonderful creations by God for second rate creations that we make ourselves.

November.

Today I went to a presentation done by Laura Runge a PhD professor from the University of South Florida. She presented one of her many essays of her research and artistic perspective of the Hillsborough River along with photography from her many trips to the river. Laura passionately began the reading with a slideshow of pictures from her trip to the river back in November. Her essay, conveniently enough, was titled November. Laura decided to bring her son on this trip to Hillsborough because he has better eyes. She was also anxious to explore the park and river through his perspective as well. Spencer was eager to explore the river immediately after he arrived. This was not something Laura would normally do, however she followed Spencer in hopes that he would help her to see new things and explore new areas. After arriving at the next park, Laura decided to show Spencer “her rock.” They canoed to an island where they explored and pretended to be pirates on a beach. They found “tree knees” that were taller then Spencer himself. They also found and amphitheater where the steps led to the river. Scattered amongst the steps where hundreds of nuts. Laura and Spencer eventually found themselves kicking all the nuts into the river. They continued to Sergeants park where they watched various birds go about their business as usual. They came across an African American man who was fishing in the river. He eventually caught a large mudfish. They also came across more birds like the solitary and fierce blue hereon and other creatures like turtles and alligators. Eventually they left and drove to Lettuce Lake Park where they came across more animals. They ended their trip at Rotary Park where Spencer walked on the tips of stone pillars that were about three feet long and three feet apart. This trip made Laura think about many aspects of life. Laura was able to use this trip to get a new perspective on life. Watching Spencer play Laura contemplated the concept of movement and play in a natural habitat. We all have a connection to the organic world. This natural habitat is so often forgotten to be our own. However this is the world God created for us. The earth and the trees and the rivers and mountains were all made for us. This world is our natural habitat. It’s hard to think of the organic world while being surrounded by these artificial habitats we’ve created for ourselves. We’ve successfully removed ourselves from the earth itself in a way. Yes we live on the earth but do we live in it? Do we appreciate the nature around us? This trip also conjured up thoughts in Laura of life and death. As morbid as these thoughts were it made her realize that everything dies. Eventually the trees will die, along with the plants and animals just like we will all eventually die. And with death comes new life. Nature is our moral connection to life.

Laura did this project to understand nature deeper then she did before. She repeatedly went to the same five parks every month and wrote about her experience and observations to practice and commit to the surroundings and reflect on contemplative traditions. This project improved her awareness, photography skills, writing skills and reflecting.

Laura decided to begin this project when she realized how out of touch she really was with Florida literature. She found that before this project she knew very little of Florida’s nature and history. This project helped her to improve her knowledge of Florida to eventually improve her understanding of Florida literature.

           

The Boys Next Door Reread

Attending the field trip to the Alliance For Independence on Tuesday, March 22^nd was a life changing experience. Before we arrived at the cooperation, I was extremely nervous about interacting with adults that were mentally disabled. Much to my surprise I was so encouraged by this trip. I was a little disappointed in the facilities and how outdated they were. My heart hurt for the inconveniences the buildings caused the clients, as well as the employees. I am not exactly sure what I was expecting but I know I was expecting the facilities to be more equipped. The lack of support AFI had made me feel useless and guilty that I do not do anything that would benefit people with mental disabilities. I never really thought about people with mental disabilities before reading the boys next door. I guess this could be because I feel uncomfortable with them all together. When I walked into the facilities and began to interact with some of the clients, I realized more and more that these people are just that, people. They are people with disabilities. But they still have wants, needs, passions, and even attraction to the opposite sex. They were all very welcoming and extremely sweet. Most of them were talkative and selfless. They were constantly complementing my classmates and I. They were so excited to see us; it almost moved me to tears.

The scene in The Boys Next Door that I believe to be the core moment in the play is located towards the end on page 58 and ends at the end of the book. This scene shows the love the boys have for Jack. As confusing as it was, you could really sense the emotions that all the boys were displaying despite their mental disabilities. This scene popped into my head when I was interacting with some of the clients at the Alliance for Independence because of the similarities. The clients, just like the boys in the boys next door didn’t display their feels in the “normal” way of displaying their feelings. The clients had an awkward way of interacting with us. However, I could tell that they were all excited to interact with us and disappointed when we left.  

The Spirit of God Hovered by Steven M. Fetkke

Reading this essay on how the church affects people with mental disabilities, really got my mind digging deeper. Many times while reading this essay I had to stop my thought process from digging too deep. After reading the first page I already began to ponder on thoughts that parents of mentally disabled children probably do often. One question the author asks himself, as well as the reader, that stuck out to me the most, is located on the first page in the middle of the second paragraph. Fetkke asks, “Are the disabled somehow a part of God’s creation story, or have they been disqualified by their conditions?” This question really made my mind wander. I had to ask myself this question over an over until I finally came to the realization that I have no idea. I cannot begin to comprehend the meaning behind a mentally disabled person. I know that God loves all. That is one thing I am certain of. However, when it comes to the meaning of why a mentally disabled person is disabled, I’m at a stand still. There’s the argument that everything happens for a reason and God loves all. But in my mind I can’t seem to satisfy myself with an answer when it comes to who goes to heaven and who goes to hell? Would someone with a mental disability go straight to heaven, just like a child would? Or does it depend on the severity of the mental condition? Why would God do this to someone?

I know that God may use someone with a mental disability for his glory. God may use anyone. It wouldn’t surprise me if God chose to use someone with a disability. But when it comes to the argument of why God would want someone to have that disability, I just don’t know what to think. It’s almost like saying someone can be born gay. It just doesn’t seem like something a loving God would do.

After reading this essay I’m left with extremely deep questions and no answers.

The boys next door Act II

When I began reading act 11 of the boys next door I realized that many changes were soon to come. Barrys dad was coming to visit him and this was very exciting to Barry. Unfortunately barry's father was somewhat rude to him throughout the trip. It definitely struck something in me. It's apparent to how barry's disorder could be worse because of the issues stemming from his father. My heart went out to him. Also, in this act Norman bought sheila her own keys. This was one of my favorite scenes because of the comical instances between him and her. Also earlier in the act sheila asks to see his keys again and he refuses again. Norman's fear of losing his keys made me laugh out loud. Jack finally realizes that he's burnt out by the boys and he decides to leave them. The boys throw him a going away party. This play really stuck me in a new way. Recently my parents adopted three young kids. One of them was diagnosed with autism. Before this I was always slightly uncomfortable around people with mentally handicapped people. But having a brother that I love and cherish before I knew he had any problems has helped me to become more comfortable with them. I love my brother more then I love myself despite is mental problems. He's a person just like the boys in the boys next door. I can't place a label on mentally handicapped people as easily as I used to because of the love I have for my brother.

One of the most heartbreaking scenes was towards the end when Arnold confronts Jack about the fact that he’s leaving.

“Arnold: Jack, you shouldn’t be quitting us. If you quit jack, I’ll hate you.

Jack: I hope not.

Arnold: Are you still quitting us?

Jack: Yes.

Arnold: Then fine I hate you. Curtain up, end of subject.”

The Boys Next Door