Oh my!

Goodness, it has been quite some time since I last posted. Mostly I was just having too much fun!!!

Boston was magnificent, with trips to the Museum of Fine Art, a fantastic store called Paper Source (where I held back...), and the Unitarian Universalist Association. My sisters and I also had an awesome crepe potluck with some of Lindsey's friends. Overall, a very pleasant experience.

And then to Vermont, where I've spent an awesome week with my family in various configurations. This was quite possibly the best Christmas ever. Handmade/local gifts all around! I'll post pictures soon, but for a preview you can check out my mom's blog.

Now I've just been lazing about, felting little sock monkeys from a kit I got and reading good books. We'll see how horribly I've failed at my reading list soon, but I've added some others to make up for it! Cool family and friends keep giving me really awesome books to read, so I've been reading things a bit out of order. Back to school next Sunday. Overall, 6 weeks well spent sleeping and being crafty and lazy.

It's nice to see old friends and family. I love my family's unorthodox Christmas traditions, such as watching the animated version of Robin Hood every Christmas Eve and decorating sugar cookies as lederhosen boys. Never gets old!!!

But, I am excited to return to school. Among my classes this term is Plant Biology, which I am quite excited for and I'm sure will be making it's way onto the Crunchy Corner often!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Busybusybusy

Oy! I have not posted in quite some time! I have been ever so busy. First I was REALLY sick with some wretched grossness. Most definitely NOT H1N1, but horrible none the less. It was not fun, my mom and I were both in bed for pretty much 4 days straight... at one point we even Skyped each other from down the hall. Pretty pathetic.

Since being recovered, I have been busybusybusy with all sorts of Christmas joy. Sadly, this means I cannot share with you. But I will take lots of pictures and let you in on all the secrets later. Listening to lots of music as I work, and also watching The Sing-Off on Hulu. It is a really fun show, I stumbled upon it on accident. It is a few night series featuring 8 a capella groups from around the nation, including a group from Tufts, where a few of my friends go. They are all fantastic! It is down to the last three groups. Very fun, and Ben Folds (one of my favorites!) is a judge. If you like music/ love the show Glee as much as I do, check it out!!!

My fellow eco-freak and suite mate sent me this link to NPR's best gardening books. Worth a look.

And while you are in the holiday spirit, please consider wrapping gifts in recycled brown paper bags/paper. If you take a few rubber stamps to it, it can be quite festive! My family also has a collection of fabric bags we reuse year after year after year. We also use a lot of paper as kindling for our fires and in our wood stove.

I am off to Boston on Monday for a few days fun with my sisters. Then I am to Vermont, for a wonderful Christmas with my whole family at our Bit of Earth.

As for Copenhagen, I am beginning to loose some hope. Seems like a lot of it is a bunch of hoopla, and although many countries are supporting "strong" legislation, they're idea of strength is not nearly enough. Bill McKibben wrote an interesting article for Grist.

Most days I just think the world would be so much better if everyone just woke up tomorrow and decided to be decent human beings. Just decent. Then we might actually be able to fix the problems that face us.

But Dr. Seuss can make just about anything better... this quote is especially good:

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

Copenhagen Update!

Here is the Reuters page with tons of articles about what's going on at the Climate Change Conference.

Enjoy!

HR 875

So this morning I came upon a group on Facebook called "Against The Organic Farming Ban". Obviously I was intrigued, considering I didn't think there WAS an organic farming ban. Turns out, there is a group that feels bill HR 875- Food Safety Moderization Act of 2009 contains a ban on organic farming. Rumors are swirling all over the internet. I took a look at the text of the bill, but there didn't seem to be anything explicitly banning or hurting local or organic farming. If anything, this seems to solve/slow many other food safety issues that we've been griping about for years, including e coli and salmonella outbreaks. Here are some other articles that try to clarify the real implications of the bill:

From the Daily Green

From Mother Jones

I will be keeping an eye out on this one. It seems to me that it is not as evil as some are perceiving it, but obviously we should be aware of what is happening with this legislation. There are in fact several food safety bills being worked on now. It's hard to regulate for agri-business and small local ag at the same time- while cleaning up agri-business, sometimes we create regulations impossible for small farms to meet. Perhaps we need different sets of regulations for different types/sizes of farms?

Learning something new every day!

Learning something new every day is very important. What did I learn today, might you ask?

I learned that tomatoes are carnivorous!!! Read all about it here.

I planted a whole slew of tomatoes during my internship at the Hickories farm last spring. They are pretty cool plants. Here's a picture I took of some tomatoes growing in the greenhouse last spring. Sadly a lot of the tomatoes I planted fell prey to the tomato blight- goes to show that farming is not an easy profession.

On a different note, I suggest listening to Sufjan Stevens' music. He is spectacular. Here are the lyrics to his song "All The Trees Of The Field Will Clap Their Hands". Even beyond his lyrics, the music itself is amazing.

If I am alive this time next year,

will I have arrived in time to share?

And mine is about as good this far.

And I'm still applied to what you are.

And I am joining all my thoughts to you.

And I'm preparing every part for you.

And I heard from the trees a great parade.

And I heard from the hills a band was made.

And will I be invited to the sound?

And will I be a part of what you've made?

And I am joining all my thought to you.

And I'm preparing every part for you.

And the winner is....

Valerie B!

Thanks to everyone who visited during the giveaway!

There is snow on the ground here, and the sky looks like it might be bringing us some more!

Time for Christmas craftiness!

The rest of what I've been working on

Another strawberry adventure... beads and hand sewing

Some random hand quilting, very small piece only about 3''x4.5''

So there are some more little tidbits for you!

What I've been working on...

Here are some little things I've been working on... I can't show very many things considering a lot of my craftiness lately is being directed towards Christmas presents...

Sorry about the poor lighting, it is ever so gloomy out today! So I couldn't really use natural light. I also did another fun piece, but my camera is not cooperating. I'll try to get a good photo later.

This is a little hand-stitched bag made with fabric printed with a strawberry block cut I made last year in a printmaking class. The buttons are all those extra buttons you get with clothing but never end up using.

And my giveaway is open until Monday morning whenever I wake up and pick.

Here's a little article about Cow Power. Pretty awesome, we use it at our house in Vermont.

Giveaway!

I'm doing a giveaway! It was inspired by Sew, Mama, Sew!, but I missed the deadline for signing up! So I'm just doing it anyway for the heck of it, even though I'm not on the official list of fun giveaways. The giveaways will be open until December 6th.

SO: what I am giving away, you ask? A set of three prints. The giveaway is supposed to be things that are handmade or can be used to make handmade things. My family is doing our second homemade/local Christmas, so I am all about the craftiness right now. These three prints are from original silkscreens I made, with frames made outta some old wood. They are primitive, but they work. All three are printed on cotton from old tee shirts. So they are reusing materials, are handmade, and can be used to make other handmade things. They are each about 12''x12''... give or take a little. They are fully washable.

The peace sign is black ink on red fabric, the robot is mostly blue (with some detailing done after printing) on lime green fabric, and the carrot is blue ink on light blue extra-stretchy fabric.

How to enter: leave a comment with your first name, last initial. I'll write all the names down and draw a name randomly when the giveaway closes. The next day I'll post the name of the winner and we can figure out how to get in contact. I suppose I'm willing to ship internationally, if people that far away are reading this, great!

Good luck to all, and give the list a look!

Another thing...

So, here's the bad piece of news for the day: The Swiss have banned the construction of minarets on mosques. I find this completely ridiculous. It is hurtful to Muslims living in the country. There has already been backlash form the U.N. about the legality of the action, so hopefully it won't last. I think if they are going to ban minarets, they should be banning steeples as well! To read more, here is the piece from NPR.

Break

So most college students headed back yesterday. They will all return in a few weeks for Christmas break. But not me! I have an extra-long break, since I am on trimesters! So hopefully this pile of stuff will become really awesome handmade Christmas presents...

And of course, I have an extensive reading list! All books I know I should have already read but just never found the time:

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind William Kamkwamba (finished this weekend!)

Waiting for Snow in Havana Carlos Eire (I'm about 100 pages in, he came to speak at my high school last year and I've been wanting to read it ever since!)

Hope, Human and Wild Bill McKibben

Wandering Home Bill McKibben

Pieces From an Active Life Bill McKibben

Second Nature Michael Pollan

Made From Scratch Jenna Woginrich

The Bookseller of Kabul Asne Seierstad

Natural Capitalism Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, L. Hunter Lovins

The Thoreau You Don't Know Robert Sullivan

God Is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith is Changing the World John Micklewait and Adrian Woolridge

We'll just have to wait and see how many I actually get through... hopefully a good chunk of them, anyway. I went to one of my favorite bookstores this weekend, Seasoned Books in Rochester, Vermont. I also got some bumper stickers to add to my guitar case.

My mom and I drove back from Vermont today, making a pit-stop (or perhaps a long shopping trip) in Northampton, Massachusetts. Northampton is an awesome town, with lots of cool independent stores. I also found another bumper sticker there! So my guitar case will get a face-lift when I get back to school. I also picked up some crafty supplies for presents while in Northampton... :)

Progress!

President Obama is going to Copenhagen! It was somewhat up in the air if he was actually going to go, but now it is official! Here is an article with more about the increasing commitment of the US to get things done in Copenhagen. There are lots of exciting things coming together all at once:

"“For the first time, an American administration has proposed an emissions reduction target. When President Obama lands in Copenhagen, it will emphasize that the United States is in it to win it,” said Senator John Kerry, a Democrat of Massachusetts and one of the leading advocates of climate action on Capitol Hill. “This announcement matches words with action.”"

All pretty exciting stuff.

I will be sure to keep updated on everything I possibly can.

On the book front, I finally finished William Kamkwama's book The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. The first half was a little slow, but you come to appreciate it by the end. Overall, a great, inspiring read, and I heartily recommend it. If you have a chance, Google him and take a look at the windmill he built. It is so amazing the things we can make if we put our minds to it and get creative about materials.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Also I'd like to put in a plug for Fantastic Mr. Fox: check out my mom's blog here.

Horatio

My guitar's name is Horatio. I picked that as his name because he sticks by me even when I'm being crazy, just like Horatio and Hamlet. He originally belonged to my dad when he was in college and I rescued him from the closet. Sadly, Horatio could not come home on the plane with me. But he's in good hands! He is staying with my friend Kate from school, since she lives in town and can use him while I'm away. So here are some pictures of my last songs with him for 6 weeks! I'll have to find another way to make some musica!

Back Home

I was greeted at the airport by this sign and my mom and sister. Pretty nice welcome! It feels strange to be back in the Northeast... lots of crazy drivers and people in a rush to get everywhere! I hope to get lots of things done this break: declutter my bedroom (I lived without a lot of stuff for 3 months, that probably means I don't need it), read some books for fun, and make fun christmas presents! I will be getting green and crafty the next few weeks, I can just tell. I am off to Vermont on Thursday for Thanksgiving, which is one of my favorite holidays. Especially because it involves cranberries.

I'm done!

I have officially survived my first trimester of college! I finished my Spanish final exam, so now I am done. I don't leave until Sunday, so tomorrow will be full of packing and cleaning and saying goodbyes. Then I shall be home and able to figure out what to do with 6 weeks of break!

Islam goes green!

I was checking out some news websites and found this. Pretty amazing what monumental things religions can do when they use their powers for good!

Finals week

And so it has come- my first finals week of college. I have classes tomorrow, then Tuesday and Wednesday I shall be studying! Thursday I have a project presentation, and Friday I have a paper due and my Spanish exam. Saturday I have free to hang out with my friends before I say goodbye for 6 weeks!!! I head back to the Northeast on Sunday. I'm sad to be leaving. So many great people, and my classes were really awesome. But I must admit, I am TIRED. It will be nice to relax a little. I've been going non-stop this term.

But tonight will be fun- bowling with the volleyball team!

Hopefully I won't go too crazy...

Outside

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet

and the winds long to play with your hair."

Kahlil Gibran

Sand Animation

This is a beautiful video from Ukraine's Got Talent. I've never seen anything like it! Enjoy!

Michael Pollan is my hero...

Michael Pollan is my hero! For one of my classes winter term, I am going to be reading his book Botany of Desire, which I have been meaning to read anyway. Makes me excited for what is ahead!

Copenhagen con.

Here is an interesting article about the Copenhagen Conference on Food Security!

Glad to see people are thinking about this stuff!

Biomimicry

Sunset the other night

I had to watch this video for an Environmental Studies assignment, it's AMAZING! If you have about 23 minutes to spare, please consider watching it. It's about biomimicry, which is mimicking nature to come up with smart technologies. It's a pretty obvious idea, but I'm glad there are intelligent dedicated people working on it, since it is challenging work. Nature seems to have a lot of things figured out pretty well, so we might as well use the intelligence already living in our world to change the way we built, make, and create.

A beautiful day!

Today was a BEAUTIFUL day. Perfect weather, sunny and warm.

I went to my first football game EVER, because it was against our biggest rival. We got killed, 0-42, but it was fun to be in the sunshine with my friends! There will be very few of these days left before winter!

Copenhagen!

For anyone who didn't know, the need HUGE climate conference is happening in Copenhagen from December 7-18th. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT! This conference will have huge implications for future climate treaties etc.

Here is the official website.

Here is some commentary.

A lot is happening, so keep and eye on it!

How to be informed!

I have decided that I need to make a better effort to be informed about what's going on in the environment on a daily basis. Maybe you have too! So here are some websites I have found that should make that task easier!

The Environmental News Network and Grist, which has "environmental news, commentary, and advice", are both pretty awesome.

One especially interesting article I came across today was about a man who drinks raw milk he has to buy illegally. It's interesting what we perceive has harmful or not harmful... worth thinking about. Personally, I think raw milk is far more healthy than drinking the milk offered in kid's meals at McDonalds...

exactly my point...

I want a time machine

I have decided that I would like a time machine.

I want to go back at least 100 years...

before we all had cars

before we deforested most of the world

before we led thousands of species to extinction

before we homogenized crops

before we became dependent on oil

before we let ppm CO2 get to above 350

before we decided that our GDP was more important than the air we breathe and the water we drink

before we dumped ballast water on foreign shores and spread invasive marine species

before we allowed the tropical rain forests to disappear at a rate of 100,000 acres a day

before we decided highways were better than public transportation

before we manufactured chemicals that we didn't know about

before we forgot to be stewards of the Earth

before we decided we didn't care about the destruction

But I don't have a time machine, so this will have to do for now.

Take some time today to think.

Take some time to be overwhelmed.

Because even though I am thoroughly frustrated, I am thoroughly committed and invigorated and determined.

And on the bright side, it is the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street...

One of those days...

Some lovely woods at Green Oaks yesterday

Today has been one of those days where you realize how lucky you are. Classes were good- I got some papers and tests back and did well, and the weather was nice. I don't have practice for the first time all year, and I don't have classes tomorrow, so I can relax tonight. I'm feeling fully here. I'm feeling pretty darn lucky to be at a college learning and living with amazing strong people.

The ladies in my suite are some pretty extraordinary people, and they make me remember how lucky I am to have family that love me, love each other, and allow me to be who I am. I've got one girl whose parents will cut her off if she comes out, another who dealt with her best friend attempting suicide a few weeks ago, and another who found out today that her mom has cancer again. Even though all these horrible things keep happening, we all take care of each other. And these women who are going through so much still manage to be sweet and care for others, and excel academically. I'm gonna miss them all when I go home for winter break! Overall, I'm feeling lucky today.

Prairie fire that wonders about...

What a week. I was sick (again, but thankfully not swine!!!). Then I had to make up all the work from being sick. And go to practice! But Saturday was the official end of volleyball season. Even though I am going to miss it, it will be nice to have more time to myself and to dedicate to studying! Exams are in two and half weeks! Where did the time go!?!?

It was one of those weeks where you don't have a minute to slow down, catch your breath, and actually look around. Today for my Intro to Environmental Studies class we went to the prairie reserve owned my my college. It is 750 acres of prairie and woodlands. There is hardly any prairie left in Illinois, mostly because of conversion to agricultural lands.

It was amazing. The grass was taller than me! It was beautiful and it made me feel rejuvenated! It also made me think of the Sufjan Stevens song "Prairie Fire That Wanders About". It's mostly instrumental, but here are the lyrics to ponder...

Peoria! Destroyia!
Infinity! Divinity!
For Lydia! Octavia!
And Jack-of-Trades!
The Cubs! Hooray!
The Opera House
Where Emma sang!
America! Oh will it play?
And Santa Clause!
The Great Parade!
Peoria!
You have it made!
Into the crossfire
faithfully run
Middle America,
one on one
Peoria!
we saddle the fun times

Taking a Day

Today I am taking a day to not be a college student. Tuesdays are nice, because I don't have any classes other than a movie in the afternoon for the common freshman class. And those are usually fun or interesting.

So I started out the day getting up early and going to the local elementary school for a student athlete program called Reading Buddies. I got to read to a first grade class and do activities with them about pumpkins. After working with kids all summer, I really missed being around little kids who love it when you act like a total goofball. It was a ton of fun and made me feel rejuvenated. And then when I went to check my mail, I got a super sweet package from one of my favorite people in the whole world! It was the perfect pick-me-up!

I'm going to goof off and watch some Brothers and Sisters (I'm watching season 3), and then go to lunch. Then I have my movie (which is about reconciliation in Rwanda, should be very interesting. After that I have practice, but we're going to the first half of the women's soccer match against our rival school. After that I'll have to do my homework, but at least for today I can have some time to do things other than be a student!

Last night I went to Spanish Club game night. I played Taboo in Spanish, which was pretty tricky. But I held my own! Afterwards, I started teaching one of my suite mates guitar. C and G chords were our starting point so that she can play "Anyone Else But You" from the movie Juno. It was a good start, and fun to share the love!

Overall, life this week is good, after a somewhat more stressful one. It's the last week of volleyball, so now I can start to focus on all the other things I want to do!

Studying

I'm studying for an environmental studies test on population growth. Pretty interesting, but also a tad on the boring side. Either way, it's important. Next unit is biological destruction, which is guaranteed to get me riled up. Yesterday we had no classes- it was what is called "Fall Institute Day", where workshops are offered. I went to the workshop about our study abroad programs in Barcelona and Argentina. It's gotten me thinking about my future educational goals and all that jazz. I'm thinking a term in Argentina is in order, but I'm also going to be on the lookout for programs focused on the environment, as well as spanish language. I was also talking with some upper classmen on my team it got me thinking about doing an independent minor in agriculture. Lots to think about!!!

"I had withdrawn in forest, and my song

Was swallowed up in leaves that blew alway"

-Robert Frost

I'm off to play guitar and have some relaxation time.

Homework can wait.

It's my first Saturday off since I got to school- I don't have a volleyball game today.

So I slept in, hung out with friends, and am currently starting to read "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by William Kamkwamba. It's pretty good so far! The weather is nice out today, not too chilly. I'm starting to feel the need to get back to some woods... I don't have enough of nature! Only a few more weeks until I'm back to some mountains.

This is why I don't have my license

I would rather be driving this!

Earth Tones

Beets

I have a beet problem.

I love beets SO MUCH.

People think I'm crazy, and say they taste like dirt, but that's why I love them!

Because they taste like dirt in a GOOD way.

I also think beets are pretty.

So that's why I received this textile as a gift from my mom.

I got these two vintage pieces this last weekend at the Antique Mall nearby.

The pea one is an old seed box. This one is a beet can label.

Pretty awesome!

This is a print from Bread and Puppet. My mom and dad went to see them perform and, knowing I was jealous, sent me this poster. It's now on my dorm wall. Pretty snazzy.

In conclusion, please try beets. They are delicious. They are especially good with a medley of root veggies like carrots and potatoes. Golden beets are amazing! All you have to do is put some oil on them and throw them in the oven at 350-400ish for about an hour.

BEET THE SYSTEM!

Even though I love fall, I'm sad to say goodbye to the days of bright blue sky and green things stretching up to meet it.

I'm missing fresh veggies... but there's always next summer to look forward to!

These are peas reaching up in Vermont a few summers ago.

Being on a college campus reminds you of the amazing amount of potential that exists in young people. Although I don't always see it in people my age, I most often do. There are certainly a lot of amazing young thinkers in my life. It reminds me of a grace we sing at camp:

Let all people live their lives

as if life were a song

for singing out of light

provides the music for the stars

to go dancing circles in the night

Illinois MAP Grants in Jeopardy

The state of Illinois has cut the Illinois MAP (Monetary Award Program) Grant by $200 million. If this measure doesn't get vetoed, many students will be forced to drop out of college. More than 250 students at my school (which is roughly 1350 students) might have to drop out come January. This just seems so unfair that students taking the initiative to gain a college education are being cut off with little or no warning. Obviously, loosing that many students would have a pretty negative effect on campus life. I'm sure other colleges in the state are having similar problems. My school says they are committed to trying to keep students enrolled if the funding cuts stand, but there is only so much they can do.

If you would like to sign a petition, click here (you don't need to be a resident of IL).

If you would like more information, click here

There are tons of rallies going on next week, including one in Springfield. It's good to see that students (and their professors and administrators) are taking a proactive stance in defending their education.

Wind power strikes again!

I was watching an episode of The Daily Show and Jon Stewart was interviewing a charming guy by the name of William Kamkwamba, who built a windmill outside his house in Malawi out of old motor parts, PVC pipe, and a worn out bike wheel. The real kicker- he was 14. People thought he was CRAZY! You can watch the interview here. Click on the video "William Kamkwamba".

I must admit I went straight to Amazon and ordered the book he just wrote- "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope". I'll let you know how it is once I read it! Amazing the things we can do if we put our minds to it.

Wind farms

It was one of those moments where you REALLY wish you had brought your camera. My volleyball team was driving to Lincoln, Illinois for a game. Usually I space out and listen to music, sleep, or get some reading done for class, but I was in a seat that didn't really make it easy to sleep. So instead I looked out the window for about 2 hours straight. But it was totally worth it! All of a sudden, I saw wind turbines in the middle of corn fields! People say they are ugly, but I think they were beautiful. The corn stalks are all yellow, and the sky was so blue, it was picture perfect.

I don't think wind power can solve all our energy needs, but it seems pretty awesome to me that, even though I have a lot of issues with corn, the fields can also be used to house these giant power producers. My coach knows I'm into sustainability, and she asked me what I thought about wind power. I think that if we saw renewable energy in action every once in awhile, it would spark more conversations. But sadly, I don't often see many wind turbines or solar panels in the Northeast. Plus wind power seems to be recession-proof! I'll try to get a picture some other time, I'm sure I'll be passing through some wind farm one of these days on my way to Iowa or Wisconsin. Bus rides aren't my favorite, but I sure am seeing a lot of the Midwest!

I'm feeling lots better, I'm still stuffy but I feel like I'm on the mend! My dad is coming tomorrow for family weekend, and will get to see 2 games. And my quilt will be coming with him, too!

My bike!

I've wanted a new bike since I was about 12 years old. But I didn't really need one. But then, tada, I decided to go to college somewhere flat with actual sidewalks, where having a bike is actually a viable alternative to driving. And I got a card on graduation day with an IOU from my parents for a bike of my very own.So one weekend during the summer, we ventured to the Old Spokes Home in Burlington, Vermont. It is an awesome place that sells refurbished old bikes. And it was there that I found my awesome old-school turquoise Schwinn "Starlett".

Apparently I am not the only one here with a bike like this. I've seen some sweet fenders and white wall tired round these parts. I found my bike's soulmate outside one of the buildings the other day. I've also spotted a yellow one that is similar.I figure giving my bike another incarnation is pretty green. Yeah, it may be a little rusted and the seat squeaks, but I'm not wasting materials to build a brand new bike when there are still plenty out there that are running just as well.

I'm feeling much better. I went to my first class yesterday and realized that I needed to still be in bed. So I emailed my professors and went to sleep! I didn't go to practice either. Luckily, I'm feeling much better today, and luckily have no classes, so I can catch up on my work. I'll check in with the trainer this afternoon to see if I can practice! I'm super excited for my dad to come friday for family weekend, too. I wasn't homesick at all until I got sick- that's when you really want someone to take care of you!

Sicky

So I have the beginnings of a bad cold. My throat is sore, my nose is a little stuffy and I'm achy. But good news is I slept 12 hours last night and have been in bed drinking fluids and taking meds and resting (while doing homework sadly) all day. Lucky for me I have a mom who packed me all the things I need when I'm sick. One of my amazing suite mates is off to get me some soup, and everyone is checking in on me once in a while. Hopefully I'll go to bed early and be up for going to classes tomorrow. Send me some good thoughts if you would!

Back to School Shopping

I've always been a fan of school supplies- just ask my sisters. We were always Staples freaks. It was like kids in a candy store when we shopped for binders and notebooks. And then there were pens, glorious pens. And erasers, and highlighters, and compasses (did I ever use a compass? no). But this year I completely forgot to buy school supplies. I had to come early for volleyball, so I wasn't really thinking about classes so much.

But the time rolled around to buy some paper products. Sadly, the place I ended up was Walmart. Luckily, I found some 100% recycled notebooks, and they weren't all that much more expensive than normal ones. They are made by Carolina Pad and Paper. The notebooks are called "Sasquatch: Leave Nothing But Tracks". They have sturdy cardboard covers and are really cute! Check out these little trees-

So I'm using them for my three classes (yay trimesters, only 3 at a time!). They aren't filling up too fast, so I can probably use them for more than one term. And I also bought recycled loose-leaf paper.

I also sprang for three folders. I sprang the extra 30 cents each to buy the sturdier ones. I figure they'll last much longer and I can use them for several terms. Then I bought some 100% recycled pens in the school bookstore with my college's name on them. Now I can show school pride and be green!

I used cute stickers to label my stuff so that I can take them off and put on new ones for new classes.

So overall, by spending about 5ish dollars extra than usual on school supplies, I probably saved a whole buncha trees! And it wasn't even that hard.

Care Packages

You know you're a lucky kiddo when your mom sends you fresh Vermont produce in the mail. Would she send me a pair of shoes or a shirt if I'd forgotten them? Probably not. But freshly pulled carrots from the garden in Vermont and my favorite variety of apples (honeycrisp)? Absolutely.

I awaited this package impatiently. I knew it must have arrived Friday afternoon, but alas, I can't pick up packages on the weekend! So when Monday rolled around, I went directly to the mail room. And some beautiful little carrots and two giant apples said hello when I opened the box. A few hours in my mini fridge and they were good to go. Biting into that apple tasted like New England autumn.

Sending them priority probably wasn't the greenest option, but technically it was local produce. LOCAL TO MY HEART! Plus, those apples and carrots came less distance than from Chile or New Zealand...

Here I am

I started college a few weeks ago in rural Illinois. Although it's sometimes hard for me, I'm trying to be fully present with everything I do. I'm the kind of person whose mind is always on to the next thing. But instead, I try to remember a grace that we sing at Farm & Wilderness...

Hallelujah, here I am, here I am

Hallelujah, here I am, here I am

Let it rain

Let it shine

Let it snow,

I don't mind

Hallelujah, here I am, here I am

This picture is of the bell tower at my college. It is so beautiful all lit up at night.

Off to study for my first Intro to Environmental Studies exam!

Starting out

Hello blogosphere! I have guest posted on my mom's blog a few times, and decided it is finally time for me to start my own.

I will try to post most days, most likely about little ways to green up your life, even if you are a poor college student.