Red River Gorge

Fall Break was last weekend and the EKU Vets Club puts on ROCTOBERFEST. I attended and spent my time camping, outdoors-in a tent-no running water camping. It was my first time doing that recreationally but not unlike spending some time in the field but with much more fun. I think it even inspired me to become one of the backpacker hiker/camper people.  Here's my first attempt at putting a tent up. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out! 

I went camping with a group of people from the Vets Club here at Eastern. The first thing we did was set up camp and wait for the stragglers. The best way to wait for people is clearly while drinking a few beers and playing with air soft guns. After awhile, we decided to go caving. It was definitely my first time trying something like that, but it was a lot of fun!! I also learned that some of the biggest, toughest looking guys are very afraid of little harmless spiders. Caving for those that don't know is hiking/climbing through a cave. For someone afraid of heights, caving isn't as bad because it is dark and narrow, unlike dangling from a tree while zip lining!! Here are a few photos from caving.  

The next day, we went hiking around the Red River Gorge. It was breathtaking. The leaves had started to change, but it was a beautiful sunny day. We only spent a few hours hiking, but I could have kept going all day long. The thing I most took away from the trip was that I need to return to the Gorge and explore more of what there is to offer. I would have like to see more of the area, but all in all it was a great trip! 

Remembering 9/11

It's been 10 years since 9/11. I keep seeing Facebook posts about where you were on 9/11/01. Here's what I remember. I was at the University of Toledo and in class. It is a little unnerving but I was in a Civil Engineering class discussing building structures and the prior attempt to blow up the World Trade Center. I remember classes being cancelled and being unable to call home because everyone was on the phone and this was before everyone had cell phones. I remember attending a candlelight vigil at the YMCA and I remember everyone coming together and doing something out of the kindness of their hearts.

Last year, I spent 9/11 in Iraq. No matter the politics, I am glad that I got the opportunity to support and defend my country. Here's a crew photo after our mission.

Today, I remember the sacrifice that many firefighters, police officers, first responders, and military personnel made. I remember the innocent civilians that tragically lost their lives. And most importantly, I remember that love is greater than hate; knowledge is greater than ignorance; and to never forget.

Ecology lesson #1 : Everything is connected.

Last night, I had my favorite class this semester, Ecology for Teachers. The material thus far is pretty basic. What is science? energy? an ecosystem? We get to learn how to relate that material to young children. But like in any class, there are lessons for me to learn as well. Ecology Life lesson #1 : Everything is connected. There's nothing new about this concept, but I feel like I am finally starting to look at that in a new light. Every choice I make is connected. My choices don't just impact me, but directly impact the world around me. And I thought I was too old for college idealism. 

I also decided to watch a movie on Netflix last night. I am sure the bottled water companies wish I had not felt like a documentary. I watched "Tapped" and clearly it got me fired up! I was amazing at the information in the movie. I didn't realize how much money Nestle, Pepsi, Coke made by bottling water. At the time of the documentary (2008), it was an $11 billion dollar industry. Mind-boggling!! 

Combine that with my wish to get away from industrialized food and I'm starting to sound more hippie dippy like all the time. Weird. (Another documentary Food Inc., and book The Omnivore's Dilemma inspired this change and I highly recommend them!!) I am not going to get preachy or angry, but I am choosing to avoid these products as much as possible. I also started looking into find the local farmer's markets here in Kentucky and I am excited to check them out soon. Even as I sit here and write this post, I've been googling information and think a trip to Barnes & Noble is necessary. I need to pick up a new book, "Made from Scratch" by Jenna Woginrich.

Okay, that's all I have for now. Hopefully I avoid documentaries for a few days and have something humorous to post soon!! Well there's always my trip home this weekend for plenty of hilarity and debauchery. :-D

Free iPhone app = Lots of "fancy" pics

Since moving down here to Richmond, I got one of those free apps that make your iPhone photos look more "fancy" Just thought I would post a few of Richmond and the EKU campus.

YIKES! I got a blog...

I thought it was about time I tried to keep a journal and since I'm so down with the technology, it's going viral. I hope I have some interesting things to share. My goal is to keep track of all the amazing things life has to offer and share those adventures with you out there in cyber space. Also, my dad refuses to get a Facebook so maybe this way he can keep track of my newest adventure. (Moving to Richmond, KY and going to Eastern Kentucky University!!)

This blog is also in response to my lack of blog last year, when I was in Iraq and could have really enjoyed posting all the things I wanted to remember. The good conversations, shenanigans that bored soldiers get into, the crazy stories that only pilots can tell, NYE near beer/rip it pong, Midnight chow, mustaches, movie nights, basketball, my cankle, and so many other things I'm already forgetting! I would hate to forget all the new experiences I am going to have here at EKU.

 Here's hoping my next post is more interesting!