Well, well well. We have finally made it to the fourth and final project. (sigh) What a trip it has been! This program has really been more of a challenge than I ever thought. But now that we are almost through, I have realized I am capable of a whole lot in my life.
We had our assignment day just this last Friday. We will be working with the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado and the Green Heart Institute to conduct an "Eco Audit". This project will have us working with a local restaurant to evaluate thier impact on the environment. We will also work on proposing ways for them to minimize thier impact using the Eco Audit.
I am learning a lot about sustainability and what it means to "be green". I have to say, I have not really put much thought into being green, but now that I am, I am noticing everyday how much more I want to conserve. For example, I am now paying attention to turning out the lights in my house when I am not using them. I also want to start buying energy-saving light bulbs. I have talked with my boyfriend Michael about the whole thing... He is pretty excited because a lot of what we are doing is right up his alley. Michael is an environmental science major at Metro State. His is a sophomore and is really passionate about helping people and the environment. I have enjoyed our talks about "vertical farms" and what a "carbon footprint" is.
I really feel as though I have grown through this whole process. I have learned that I tend stress about all the little things A LOT! Through out this program, I have learned that there is only so much you can do in a day. The best thing to do is make a "map" of all the things that need to be done in a given day, and then do your best to get JUST THOSE THINGS done. Thats all you can do. I have learned that I am only human, and that there is only one Erin Kasch. I do my best... and that is all I can ask of myself. There is no reason to freak out and stress about things that will get done at a later time.
I read Benjamin's most recent blog today. I think he makes a really good point. Have FUN! Enjoy life. I think sometimes I take things too seriously. I have figured out that I do that because I have already been through a time in my life when I didn't care at all. About 6 years ago, I didn't take anything seriously. Life was just a big party. I was the biggest partier ever, and had absolutely NO DIRECTION in my life. Since then I have developed this "seriousness" I think because I am afraid of what I might be like if I am not serious. I am a naturally free spirit, and have the tendancy to be a crazy scatterbrain from time to time, so lately I tend to be a litte more "unaproachable" or "serious" because I want so badly to make something of myself. I now want to be proud of myself and my accomplishments.
Now I am happy with where I am. I have come so far! I remember when I first decided I wanted to come back to school to finish my bachelors degree. I had about 54 credits that I had transferred into Metro from UNC in Greeley. I remember my first visit to Karen Krupar's office (my advisor and mentor). My first thought after our meeting was "I have a long road ahead of me and it's gonna take forever to get through school". Now I am almost a senior! UGH! Amazing! Time just flies.
I am a proud Metro Student. I have a tremendous love for my school because I have had the most amazing professors and mentors to talk to. There is also something different about the school's environment. Sure, sure, it IS a commuter campus and it can (sometimes) be difficult to get students "plugged in" to the school and all it has to offer but in reality, the campus is the most diverse place in Denver! I enjoy days when I can just sit outside near the flagpole to "people watch". Fashion is the first thing I notice about the students when I sit and watch. So many young people on this campus express themselves through their clothing choices. I like it. I always think to myself "What would this world be like if we didn't have diversity?" ...My dad always said that when I was little, which has taught me to value diversity of all kinds.
Ugh, I am starting to ramble. I should wrap it up!
We have new teams now! Me, Ben, David, Noah and Heidi are a team, while Giedre, Kaleigh, Ashley, Cindy and Chris are a team. We were all suprised to see during project 4 assignment day that they (alumni staff) were going to have us choose our duties and our team randomly out of a hat. We were randomly placed in new teams. With that said, I would like to say "Welcome" to Ben. It is good to have you on the team!
This switch up may be a good change. I know Ben will bring new ideas to the table, which will help us develop new strategies. I usually have a very open mind with regards to change, which is why I think it might be a good thing.
On the other hand, it may not be such a good thing because if we loose this one, Ben will be the only one out of all ten of us that didn't win a single project. If we win project 4, then Kaleigh, Ashley, Chris and Cindy will have lost 4 projects. =( Thinking about this has me thinking it may not be fair the way it ended up. It may have been better to keep us all in our original teams not only because of this, but also because both teams have learned a lot from each other so far. Both teams have developed a trust and cohesiveness with each other regardless of wins and losses.
Oh, well, it is what it is now. We are all moving forward in this last project. I am excited to see my teammates tomorrow. We are meeting up at a new place instead of the typical Starbucks across the street from campus. It will be refreshing to meet somewhere new.
I will end with that. I think spring is beginning to take effect. A new team, new meeting place, new project. Oh! And soon I will have a new house! My boyfriend and I are moving to the fifth floor (east side) of our apartment building in Capitol Hill. Things are changing and evolving all the time... and that change is certainly a good thing!
E
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