The earth is very complex. It eats, it breathes, it takes and it gives. But the way that we are using the earth, it’s much too damaging to it. Lately, I’ve been noticing that we are becoming very dependent on a lot of things like our foods, our appliances, our furniture… but they are not coming from places near us, and we have to rely on other states, or even other countries. I am no expert in economy; but I know that we are all a part of it. I know that by not being able to rely on America alone, or in my case, Hawaii alone, life is getting harder to live comfortably. And we spend time worrying about the future.
Ever since the caveman era, humans have evolved, and our way of life has evolved. We’re now using many things that we never had back then. There is a simple way that we can dodge the worry of never having enough and running out of resources.The dictionary definition of ‘sustainable living’ is that it is a specific lifestyle that attempts to reduce and individual’s or society’s use of the earths’ natural resources. Quite a few cities and communities in America have adopted this style of living off of the land. The whole point of subsistence living is to “achieve a natural balance and be respectful of humanity’s symbiotic relationship with the earth’s natural ecology and cycles.” To protect against downturns in the economy, people rely on subsistence farming. And to lots of people (like me) it sounds like it is not possible, to grow my own foods. But I think that it really takes a community to be able to rely on subsistence farming. And the good thing is that there are people in my area that are already starting to do it. Since I live in Hawaii, there are lots of opportunities for me to be able to live locally.
In Hawaii, around 85%- 90% of our foods are imported. The disappointing part of this is that Hawaii actually has the potential, the land, the climate, to provide our own food, and grow our own food to be sustainable. I think that it is smart to start learning how to live off of our one and only land. And in Hawaii, local residents should be buying locally to support the local farmers, and to cut grocery costs as well.
Subsistence lifestyle exists because we need to meet the needs of the present, but not use too much so that future generations will not have anything to live off of. I know that I have personally abused my opportunities to buy local food and products. And it’s just about time that I give back to the humble earth who will not survive if we continue to abuse it.
I learned that there are some simple things (that are a lot of fun too) that I can personally do to start living a more sustainable life. Basically, I can do a few things: Change my means of transportation, change my diet, and change the products of my home. By checking what my carbon footprint was online, I knew that there were some changes that I needed to make. I can start taking the bus, or carpooling. I can do simple things like eat seasonally, have a vegetarian diet (which I already do), buy organic, local, and fair trade items to make my life more sustainable. Also, I learned to make soy or beeswax candles to use as an alternative to electric lighting, I can make handmade soap (or buy local handmade soaps), as well as practice ‘day lighting’. (day lighting is to do more house chores and duties during the day, so that lighting energy is saved at night. Plus I can have more time to relax at night.) I can use hand powered appliances, like a hand washer and avoid using the dishwasher to save on the electric bill. I also read my fair share of articles about making my own crafts; purses, pouches, clothing, blankets, etc. out of recycled materials, and found that it’s a good idea to buy secondhand things. These are all things that I can do, or change in my life to start living a more sustainable life. And you can easily do it too.
This feels like the right path for me to take because subsistence life is a “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” And it is something that I feel passionate about.
Sources:
http://www.naturalstrategies.com.au/library/building-a-sustainable-life/actions-tools
http://shop.naturalstrategies.com.au/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_living
http://www.pbs.org/harriman/1899/subsistence.html
http://urbansubsistenceliving.blogspot.com
www.ecocycle.org
http://urbanhomestead.org/journal/
http://www.agroforestry.net/hhfa/index.html
http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/agriculture/index.htm
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
project icarus; first draft
how to have a subsistence lifestyle
The earth is very complex. It eats, it breathes, it takes and it gives. But the way that we are using the earth, it’s much to damaging to it. Lately, I’ve been noticing that we are becoming very dependent on a lot of things like our foods, our appliances, our furniture… but they are not coming from places near us, and we have to rely on other countries or even other states. I am no expert in economy; I hardly even know what that word means, but I know that by not being able to rely on America alone, life is getting harder to live comfortably. And we spend time worrying about the future.
‘Modern’ life seems much more complicated then a normal life would about 100 years ago. Just the fact that third graders have cell phones disturbs me. I like technology, I don’t have anything against it [yet], but we are abusing our ‘power’ and hurting the earth in a purely physical way. We are relying too much on our technology, and I’m afraid that if all of our technologies somehow vanish, that we will forget how to actually survive with just us and the earth.
Ever since the caveman era, humans have evolved, and our way of life has evolved. We’re now using many things that we never had back then. There is a simple way that we can dodge the worry of never having enough and running out of resources.
The dictionary definition of ‘sustainable living’ is that it is a specific lifestyle that attempts to reduce and individual’s or society’s use of the earths’ natural resources. Quite a few cities and communities in America have adopted this style of living off of the land. The whole point of subsistence living is to “achieve a natural balance and be respectful of humanity’s symbiotic relationship with the earth’s natural ecology and cycles.” To protect against downturns in the economy, people rely on subsistence farming. And to lots of people (like me) it sounds like it is not possible for me, to grow my own foods. But I think that it really takes a community to be able to rely on subsistence farming. And the good thing is that there are people in my area that are already starting to do it. Since I live in Hawaii, there are lots of opportunities for me to me able to live locally.
I think that it is smart to start learning how to live off of our one and only land. So many people are just dependent on people who do know what their doing; how to farm, how to build, but we don’t want that number to decrease.
Subsistence lifestyle exists because we need to meet the needs of the present, but not use too much so that future generations will not have anything to live off of. I know that I have personally abused my opportunities to use the technology we have that give us an easier time. But it’s is just about time that I give back to the humble earth who will not survive if we continue.
I learned that there are some simple things (that are a lot of fun too) that I can personally do to start living a more sustainable life. Basically, I can do three things. Change my means of transportation, change my diet, and change the products of my home. By checking what my carbon footprint was online, I knew that there were some changes that I needed to make. I can start taking the bus, or carpooling. I can do simple things like eat seasonally, have a vegetarian diet, buy organic, local and fair trade things can make my life more sustainable. Also, I can make soy or beeswax candles to use as an alternative to electric lighting, make handmade soap, as well as practice ‘daylighting’. (daylighting is to do more house chores and duties during the day, so that lighting energy is saved at night. Plus you can relax at night.) Use hand powered appliances, like a hand washer and avoid using the dishwasher are also good ideas to save on the electric bill. I also read my fair share of articles about making my own crafts; purses, pouches, clothing, blankets, etc. and buying secondhand things.
These are all things that I can do, or change in my life to start living a more sustainable life. It feels like the right path for me to take because subsistence life is a “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” And it is something that I feel passionate about.
Sources:
http://www.naturalstrategies.com.au/library/building-a-sustainable-life/actions-tools
http://shop.naturalstrategies.com.au/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_living
http://www.pbs.org/harriman/1899/subsistence.html
http://urbansubsistenceliving.blogspot.com
www.ecocycle.org
http://urbanhomestead.org/journal/
The earth is very complex. It eats, it breathes, it takes and it gives. But the way that we are using the earth, it’s much to damaging to it. Lately, I’ve been noticing that we are becoming very dependent on a lot of things like our foods, our appliances, our furniture… but they are not coming from places near us, and we have to rely on other countries or even other states. I am no expert in economy; I hardly even know what that word means, but I know that by not being able to rely on America alone, life is getting harder to live comfortably. And we spend time worrying about the future.
‘Modern’ life seems much more complicated then a normal life would about 100 years ago. Just the fact that third graders have cell phones disturbs me. I like technology, I don’t have anything against it [yet], but we are abusing our ‘power’ and hurting the earth in a purely physical way. We are relying too much on our technology, and I’m afraid that if all of our technologies somehow vanish, that we will forget how to actually survive with just us and the earth.
Ever since the caveman era, humans have evolved, and our way of life has evolved. We’re now using many things that we never had back then. There is a simple way that we can dodge the worry of never having enough and running out of resources.
The dictionary definition of ‘sustainable living’ is that it is a specific lifestyle that attempts to reduce and individual’s or society’s use of the earths’ natural resources. Quite a few cities and communities in America have adopted this style of living off of the land. The whole point of subsistence living is to “achieve a natural balance and be respectful of humanity’s symbiotic relationship with the earth’s natural ecology and cycles.” To protect against downturns in the economy, people rely on subsistence farming. And to lots of people (like me) it sounds like it is not possible for me, to grow my own foods. But I think that it really takes a community to be able to rely on subsistence farming. And the good thing is that there are people in my area that are already starting to do it. Since I live in Hawaii, there are lots of opportunities for me to me able to live locally.
I think that it is smart to start learning how to live off of our one and only land. So many people are just dependent on people who do know what their doing; how to farm, how to build, but we don’t want that number to decrease.
Subsistence lifestyle exists because we need to meet the needs of the present, but not use too much so that future generations will not have anything to live off of. I know that I have personally abused my opportunities to use the technology we have that give us an easier time. But it’s is just about time that I give back to the humble earth who will not survive if we continue.
I learned that there are some simple things (that are a lot of fun too) that I can personally do to start living a more sustainable life. Basically, I can do three things. Change my means of transportation, change my diet, and change the products of my home. By checking what my carbon footprint was online, I knew that there were some changes that I needed to make. I can start taking the bus, or carpooling. I can do simple things like eat seasonally, have a vegetarian diet, buy organic, local and fair trade things can make my life more sustainable. Also, I can make soy or beeswax candles to use as an alternative to electric lighting, make handmade soap, as well as practice ‘daylighting’. (daylighting is to do more house chores and duties during the day, so that lighting energy is saved at night. Plus you can relax at night.) Use hand powered appliances, like a hand washer and avoid using the dishwasher are also good ideas to save on the electric bill. I also read my fair share of articles about making my own crafts; purses, pouches, clothing, blankets, etc. and buying secondhand things.
These are all things that I can do, or change in my life to start living a more sustainable life. It feels like the right path for me to take because subsistence life is a “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” And it is something that I feel passionate about.
Sources:
http://www.naturalstrategies.com.au/library/building-a-sustainable-life/actions-tools
http://shop.naturalstrategies.com.au/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_living
http://www.pbs.org/harriman/1899/subsistence.html
http://urbansubsistenceliving.blogspot.com
www.ecocycle.org
http://urbanhomestead.org/journal/
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Journal #24
1. write my passions...
2. my resources...
3. what questions do i want answered?
4. my plans to access my resources...
5. possible product/performance...
initially, i know that i have a lot of passions, and it was hard for me to choose only a couple. but i chose feeding the hungry (which i know can be a bit vague, but i haven't figured out where yet) and how we will be able to survive after we run out of resources, and if we will be able to finally work together then.
i will be spending a lot of time on the internet looking up websites and checking the news for details. also, maybe doing some volunteer work so that i could be a resource too. and i'll probably email people and organizations, and do face-to-face interviews.
the questions i want answered are; 'if i make money for an organization [to feed the hungry], how will i get it to them?' 'are there already people on oahu doing this sort of thing, and if so, can i join them?' 'what can i do at home, and in my community to help with the "feeding the hungry" issue?' 'do you think that you could estimate a time where we will run out of fuel resources?'
my plans to access my resources would be through talking on the phone, emailing, and even physically going up to people to ask them about things. i'll just start off with researching online.
i think that the possible product/performance from this is that the people in my community, or on the island, would learn how they will be able to depend on themselves in the future. and maybe i'll be able to raise money to help people across the globe. i may be able to teach people how they can change their lifestyles in order to accomodate for our declining resources.
in general, i want to start being able to live more comfortably.
2. my resources...
3. what questions do i want answered?
4. my plans to access my resources...
5. possible product/performance...
initially, i know that i have a lot of passions, and it was hard for me to choose only a couple. but i chose feeding the hungry (which i know can be a bit vague, but i haven't figured out where yet) and how we will be able to survive after we run out of resources, and if we will be able to finally work together then.
i will be spending a lot of time on the internet looking up websites and checking the news for details. also, maybe doing some volunteer work so that i could be a resource too. and i'll probably email people and organizations, and do face-to-face interviews.
the questions i want answered are; 'if i make money for an organization [to feed the hungry], how will i get it to them?' 'are there already people on oahu doing this sort of thing, and if so, can i join them?' 'what can i do at home, and in my community to help with the "feeding the hungry" issue?' 'do you think that you could estimate a time where we will run out of fuel resources?'
my plans to access my resources would be through talking on the phone, emailing, and even physically going up to people to ask them about things. i'll just start off with researching online.
i think that the possible product/performance from this is that the people in my community, or on the island, would learn how they will be able to depend on themselves in the future. and maybe i'll be able to raise money to help people across the globe. i may be able to teach people how they can change their lifestyles in order to accomodate for our declining resources.
in general, i want to start being able to live more comfortably.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
allusive poem reflection
When I first got this assignment, I was really having a hard time looking and finding a myth, or allusion that I felt could describe my personality best. And it took me a while, but I felt that the ant and the grasshopper was an old tale that I remember clearly. I tried writing with different allusions, but the ant and the grasshopper fit the best. I think that it clearly shows how I am a hard worker, and that I do what I need to. I also felt that if I had used one of the greek gods to be my allusion, people who read the poem wouldn't be able to relate as quickly and easily.
Creating the text was much easier than I thought it would be. I first started by re-reading the ant and the grasshopper. Then I described the fall scene. I chose to write it in third person, so that it would be more like the story. I'm actually happy with the structure of the poem. I separated the two so that the reader can see that in the first portion, I am describing myself, and in the second paragraph, I am describing myself when challenged. And more obviously, the last is the ending, where finally winter does come. When I wrote it, I tried my hardest to add in my beliefs as well. I know that I could revise it to be better, and sound smoother, though.
The graphic part was pretty simple for me. I tried to create the scene in the tale where the ants are gathering corn, and the grasshopper is being lazy just sitting there. I just photoshopped myself in next to an ant, and added a grasshopper just waiting there. I think it was an easy graphic to do to begin with, and I did a pretty good job.
Creating the text was much easier than I thought it would be. I first started by re-reading the ant and the grasshopper. Then I described the fall scene. I chose to write it in third person, so that it would be more like the story. I'm actually happy with the structure of the poem. I separated the two so that the reader can see that in the first portion, I am describing myself, and in the second paragraph, I am describing myself when challenged. And more obviously, the last is the ending, where finally winter does come. When I wrote it, I tried my hardest to add in my beliefs as well. I know that I could revise it to be better, and sound smoother, though.
The graphic part was pretty simple for me. I tried to create the scene in the tale where the ants are gathering corn, and the grasshopper is being lazy just sitting there. I just photoshopped myself in next to an ant, and added a grasshopper just waiting there. I think it was an easy graphic to do to begin with, and I did a pretty good job.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
first draft of this i believe
This I believe essay.
I have this notion that this is my one and only life. I’m a Christian and I love people and I love doing what is right, and all that stuff you hear people talk about. So far in my life, I have been persuaded to do things I didn’t want to do, I have had to obey laws and rules. I listen to my parents… most of the time. I have never done drugs, or drank alcohol, and I hate the smell of cigarette smoke. I have to say that I am a pretty normal child.
I believe in tradition, in preservation of trees, in hope for the future, in peace and justice, in wisdom, in organization, in modesty and honesty, in my family and in my friends, that sharing is caring. I do believe in a lot of things. But like so many people I am not comfortable with everything my life has to offer.
Last week there was a little boy in Safeway who wanted this small package of marshmallow peeps. It was your typical “I want that mommy” grocery store scene. At first, it looked like love at first sight, seconds later he tugged at his mother’s shirt and pointed at it, minutes later, he was yelling for it, the next thing you know he was crying his eyes out and lying on the ground. Out of embarrassment, his mother snatched the peeps and her child to the cashier. And then she turned to her son and said, “Are you happy now?”
That sort of sparked a whole train of thoughts in my brain about what I wanted. It isn’t as easy as “I want that piece of candy” anymore. All of a sudden, I have to think about what I will be doing to survive in life. How I am going to support myself, and my family. If only it could be as easy as “I wanna do this.” Choosing a career in life is one of the heaviest tasks I will have to endure, probably in my entire life. And it has to be the one I will be thinking of forever. There is so much pressure to be the best. To succeed in everything you do. We constantly hear of parents who want their children to be doctors or nurses, or stuck up business people. Just the other day, my own grandmother turned to me and suggested that I become a social worker because her friend once told her that they make a lot of money. And even though I’m still in high school, I can definitely understand where she’s coming from. Or at least I want to.
Everyone wants to be cooler. Everyone wants to be secure. And I have some pity for them if this is what drives them to choose their path in life. Money doesn’t matter, anymore to me. And what other people think doesn’t even cross my mind. I don’t understand why anyone would want to sacrifice a life of real happiness, for a storybook life. A life where he is not even in charge anymore.
I am getting to the point in my life where I have to start making choices about my future now. And I am trying with whatever is left of my heart to hold on to what I know I want. I don’t want to let people, or money, or pressure to be in charge of my decision to be happy. I want to live my life. I don’t want to have a job, and live my life on the side. That may be the glorious life that many others choose to live; to sacrifice everything because they care for someone special, or for selfish reasons that don’t even matter in the end. But that is not what I believe in. I’m not going to have any regrets about that feeling I get in my gut when I’m what we call happy.
I have this notion that this is my one and only life. I’m a Christian and I love people and I love doing what is right, and all that stuff you hear people talk about. So far in my life, I have been persuaded to do things I didn’t want to do, I have had to obey laws and rules. I listen to my parents… most of the time. I have never done drugs, or drank alcohol, and I hate the smell of cigarette smoke. I have to say that I am a pretty normal child.
I believe in tradition, in preservation of trees, in hope for the future, in peace and justice, in wisdom, in organization, in modesty and honesty, in my family and in my friends, that sharing is caring. I do believe in a lot of things. But like so many people I am not comfortable with everything my life has to offer.
Last week there was a little boy in Safeway who wanted this small package of marshmallow peeps. It was your typical “I want that mommy” grocery store scene. At first, it looked like love at first sight, seconds later he tugged at his mother’s shirt and pointed at it, minutes later, he was yelling for it, the next thing you know he was crying his eyes out and lying on the ground. Out of embarrassment, his mother snatched the peeps and her child to the cashier. And then she turned to her son and said, “Are you happy now?”
That sort of sparked a whole train of thoughts in my brain about what I wanted. It isn’t as easy as “I want that piece of candy” anymore. All of a sudden, I have to think about what I will be doing to survive in life. How I am going to support myself, and my family. If only it could be as easy as “I wanna do this.” Choosing a career in life is one of the heaviest tasks I will have to endure, probably in my entire life. And it has to be the one I will be thinking of forever. There is so much pressure to be the best. To succeed in everything you do. We constantly hear of parents who want their children to be doctors or nurses, or stuck up business people. Just the other day, my own grandmother turned to me and suggested that I become a social worker because her friend once told her that they make a lot of money. And even though I’m still in high school, I can definitely understand where she’s coming from. Or at least I want to.
Everyone wants to be cooler. Everyone wants to be secure. And I have some pity for them if this is what drives them to choose their path in life. Money doesn’t matter, anymore to me. And what other people think doesn’t even cross my mind. I don’t understand why anyone would want to sacrifice a life of real happiness, for a storybook life. A life where he is not even in charge anymore.
I am getting to the point in my life where I have to start making choices about my future now. And I am trying with whatever is left of my heart to hold on to what I know I want. I don’t want to let people, or money, or pressure to be in charge of my decision to be happy. I want to live my life. I don’t want to have a job, and live my life on the side. That may be the glorious life that many others choose to live; to sacrifice everything because they care for someone special, or for selfish reasons that don’t even matter in the end. But that is not what I believe in. I’m not going to have any regrets about that feeling I get in my gut when I’m what we call happy.
Monday, March 9, 2009
interview [journal]
(late, sorry)
Q: What are some of your favorite things like mottos you like to tell people?
A: I don't really tell people any mottos or things like that.
Q: what is the most important thing you want me to remember always no matter what?
A: I want you to remember what you want. In choosing a what you want to be when you grow up, you cannot let the world dictate who you want to become. Don't let money, or even the people you love steer you away from your goal. Because I'm 21, soph, and I am already forgetting what I want. It would really make me angry if you did something you hated. It really sucks to have a job and be living life with your spare time. instead, live your life doing what you do. Live your life always. Don't be afraid.
[interviewing Stephen Agustin]
Q: What are some of your favorite things like mottos you like to tell people?
A: I don't really tell people any mottos or things like that.
Q: what is the most important thing you want me to remember always no matter what?
A: I want you to remember what you want. In choosing a what you want to be when you grow up, you cannot let the world dictate who you want to become. Don't let money, or even the people you love steer you away from your goal. Because I'm 21, soph, and I am already forgetting what I want. It would really make me angry if you did something you hated. It really sucks to have a job and be living life with your spare time. instead, live your life doing what you do. Live your life always. Don't be afraid.
[interviewing Stephen Agustin]
Thursday, March 5, 2009
allusive poem 2
when she woke up this morning, the air was cooler.
she saw leaves the color of rust, and a thick layer of foliage on the ground.
she saw that she could slack off, and waste away her time,
but instead she got to her work.
she has a hard shield around her, it keeps her strong.
it repels distractions,
it protects her from harm.
you can push her off course,
but only for a while.
She is a force to be reckoned with when she is
pressed for time.
she is mindful of her insignificance,
But really, she knows we’re all part of one team, one mind.
She will never give up, and she will not look behind.
it is hard to watch him have so much fun.
but fall is almost over and there is lots to be done.
she holds a certain amount of pity for him,
as he frolics in the sun.
but with time, she, will be
given the chance.
for now, though, she is focused, and when time comes,
she will not be abashed.
for anything she needs, they are right in her hands.
And finally when the first snowflake falls,
She looks at him straight in the eyes
Offers him a kernel of corn,
and refuses to laugh.
“It is humbleness that makes us true.
It is what really pulls us through.”
she saw leaves the color of rust, and a thick layer of foliage on the ground.
she saw that she could slack off, and waste away her time,
but instead she got to her work.
she has a hard shield around her, it keeps her strong.
it repels distractions,
it protects her from harm.
you can push her off course,
but only for a while.
She is a force to be reckoned with when she is
pressed for time.
she is mindful of her insignificance,
But really, she knows we’re all part of one team, one mind.
She will never give up, and she will not look behind.
it is hard to watch him have so much fun.
but fall is almost over and there is lots to be done.
she holds a certain amount of pity for him,
as he frolics in the sun.
but with time, she, will be
given the chance.
for now, though, she is focused, and when time comes,
she will not be abashed.
for anything she needs, they are right in her hands.
And finally when the first snowflake falls,
She looks at him straight in the eyes
Offers him a kernel of corn,
and refuses to laugh.
“It is humbleness that makes us true.
It is what really pulls us through.”
Monday, March 2, 2009
draft 1 of allusive poem
when she woke up this morning and saw the rusted foliage,
it was time to work.
she saw what could be, and instead chose
what should be.
"preparation is key."
she has a shield around her, to protect her from harm.
you may push her off course,
but only for a while,
for she knows what's to be done.
at the very same time, she is aware that she is small.
she is an insignificant significance.
but she will never give up.
it is hard to watch him have so much fun.
but fall is almost over and there is lots to be done.
she holds a certain amount of pity for him.
even as he frolicks in the sun.
but with time, she will be given the chance
to scoff and to laugh.
for now, though, she is focused,
and when time comes, she will not be abashed.
for anyting she needs,
they are right in her hands.
it was time to work.
she saw what could be, and instead chose
what should be.
"preparation is key."
she has a shield around her, to protect her from harm.
you may push her off course,
but only for a while,
for she knows what's to be done.
at the very same time, she is aware that she is small.
she is an insignificant significance.
but she will never give up.
it is hard to watch him have so much fun.
but fall is almost over and there is lots to be done.
she holds a certain amount of pity for him.
even as he frolicks in the sun.
but with time, she will be given the chance
to scoff and to laugh.
for now, though, she is focused,
and when time comes, she will not be abashed.
for anyting she needs,
they are right in her hands.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
