Kayla B.: #1 Incoming Reflection

The first time I heard anything about Colloquium, I was in orientation for transfer students in the Student Union. A short video about Colloquium was put on and it talked, in brief, about what Colloquium was all about. My first impression about Colloquium, after watching the video, was that it seemed like it was going to be a fun class. How many college courses take you on field trips to the swamp or beach? I love to take classes where I can learn about the environment, and what I can do to make it a better place.

I love being in nature, a state park, or in my backyard. My favorites places outdoors are on the beaches on the east coast of Florida, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Smokey Mountains, and the Everglades.

I grew up my whole life surrounded by the "woods". When I was in elementary and middle school, the only time I was inside is if it was raining or my parents grounded me. I was always outside playing with the many animals we had, such as goats, rabbits, chickens, etc., or building forts with my brothers. But lately, maybe because I'm in college, I just don't feel like I get outdoors much. When I am outside taking a nature walk or just sitting in the woods I feel completely calm and stress free. I moved in with my boyfriend a few years ago in a house in San Carlos Park. San Carlos doesn't have much nature, maybe a patch of woods here and there. I feel disconnected with nature sometimes. Then, I remember there are many parks and areas that I could easily drive to in 15 minutes to feel that connection to nature, so it's not to bad.

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. "

John Muir

"Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads."

Henry David Thoreau

I only have anxiety about one thing in Colloquium class. I might have a panic attack if I see a snake or any other critter I don't want to come in contact with while on a field trip.

Personal Goals for this class... I want to make better decisions as a consumer, I want to know how I can do my part to be more efficent, and I want to know more about Florida's ecosystems.

Before I started reading "A Land Remembered" by Patrick Smith, I thought my major in history had nothing to do with this course. But, after reading the book, I realized there is a great deal of history about Florida land, the people that once inhabited a long time ago, and what we can learn from history will make our land more sustainable for the future.