This weeks post

Some of the talks this week were really interesting. I was confused by the hemp talk with some statements such as: Hemp can help prevent some environmental issues such as desalinization. Desalinization is the making of fresh water from salt water... so stopping desalinization, the process by which major environmentalists hope to provide fresh water to third-world countries that lack potable water, shouldn't be and isn't the goal of any humanitarian environmentalists. When I find major basic flaws like this, it's hard for me to accept any real sort of credibility from the rest of the presentation.

This week

I'm pretty excited about the presentations this week. I commited to presenting today, so I was under a little more pressure than I wanted. But after working very hard on the presentation, I think I covered my topic (OTEC) very well. I'm actually kind of excited to see what other people present in class today especially becaise we were allowed to do such a variety of different topics.  I'd write more, but I don't want to give anything away about my project.

11/20

This last weekend's field trip was actually pretty fun. Although
I helped arrange it on the ranch's end, I had no idea what to expect. The boat ride across the fish pond was a lot of fun. Once we got to the beach, it was really disappointing to see just how much plastic was everywhere on the beach. Not even large debris, but pieces the size of pencil erasers or smaller really shows how much trouble humans are getting themselves into.

Then, we moved on to the trench digging. I should mention that I broke up with my girlfriend of 3 years on Friday. The trench digging was very helpful by working our some of the frustration I have regarding the whole situation. It was very rewarding to see the stagnant water meet the ocean water once the two connected. I'm really hoping we made a difference. I wish we would have had time to enter the ranch so I could show the class what I do there, but oh well.

Week of 11/15

I just finished my Midterm. Sadly, because I tend to leave things until last minute, I found myself reading two books over the last week and completing a midterm! My own fault....

The books were very interesting. I lean heavily towards science and facts so I really enjoyed Eat Here. It gave a good breakdown of the food system and why eating locally is important. I wish the author would have done more to address the views of the major companies he critiqued such as the benefit of employing thousands of workers. I feel it would have strengthened his argument had he shot down the other side.

Ishmael was also an interesting book. By having an intelligent being that isn't human critique the human existence and way of life, the book became more than just people complaining about people hypocritically.

I think I might even read the next book in the Ishmael series.

Week of 11/2/2010

I have to say that I'm disappointed I didn't get a chance to share my opinion in class. I found what our guest speaker had to say to be very interesting. His rebellion against the Board of Health is admirable. His success despite growing up in a rough neighborhood and dropping out of high school is a great success story.

However, his views on religion were poorly formed. Stating that Christians don't understand their religion because the Bible has been translated is equivalent to saying I don't understand what my girlfriend is saying because she's Spanish and she has to translate her thoughts to English.
Also, for someone in an academic setting, the swearing really surprised me. We all swear, but doing so while trying to voice your thoughts discounts your credibility. Also, the joke about "Catholic Priests and little boys" just showed that he really hasn't done a lot of research into Catholicism and that his opinions (too) are based on popular culture rather than facts or actual study. "Who's actually witnessed a miracle first hand?" <--- This is an ignorant question. Anyone who has studied Catholicism knows that God doesn't just answer prayers on a whim. To ask for something and expect it, is to test God, which is against the Ten Commandments. We believe, and are taught, that God gives us the skills and tools to deal with situations on our own. Regardless of the turn out, it all fits into his master plan. There is a reason your dog dies even though you pray for a miracle cure for aging.

Overall, I think people are confused about Catholicism. Being Catholic or even Christian doesn't make you an expert, it makes you a student. Being a student of Catholicism means you're committed to life-long learning based on your beliefs. People who want a religious debate are foolish to approach the average Christian young adult and expect a fair or even voluntary fight. We are not experts, but we hope to be.
To be approached so strongly, knowing that the other person dislikes your religion, would lead most people to walk away from a situation. In class we don't have that privilege. If your mind is made up, why ask the question?
Instead, how about a fair playing Field that addresses all religious views? Why not start a debate with "Religion, what's your view?" All religions have their soft spots, all religions have their strengths, and everyone has opinions, why not hear them all equally?
Had the speaker looked at all religions so critically, he would have been more credible in my eyes.

11/2/2010

This time of the year is getting very exciting for me. I'm graduating in December, don't have a job lined up, and have lots of big school projects! (a bit of sarcasm) Actually, I'm going to miss this though. I was in such a hurry to graduate early and now that it's approaching, I could use another semester of the college life. Anyhow, I'm kind of fearing the midterm we'll be getting this upcoming week. I don't know what Dr. Cruz's tests are like, so I'm a little nervous. Thankfully, it's take home!

See everyone in class!

This week's post

Last week's field trip to Kevin's farm was fun. It's very interesting to hear about the things he plans on doing on the farm. I hope things work out the way they hope for. The veggie quesadilla was very good and I always appreciate homeade guacamole.

This is my last semester at HPU, and It always seems like I'm short on time. Because of that, I haven't been able to attend many field trips. It felt good that by driving the HPU van I could still be involved and help the class out.

Dr. Cruz,
I'm sorry to hear about your mother. I will keep your family in my prayers.

Week of 10/15

I'm really looking forward to the field trip this week. I cannot wait to try the veggi quesadilla. Plus, I'm really excited about taking the shuttle full of classmates. The movie 180 degrees south was very interesting. I didn't like the fact they spoke of development and dams (clean electrical production) as being completely bad. They ride fiberglass surfboards and use aluminum climbing gear (notorious for being aweful with environmental degradation from mining). It seems like they critisize the established society so long as it produces the toys they want for thier expeditions. Other than that it was a great movie, the one flaw just really bothered me.

Week 5, second post

I went on the field trip this past saturday to the Island off of Sand Island. It was great to get dirty and put in a little work for a good cause. I wish we had had the chance to tour the island. I also liked that we had a chance to go swimming, it really felt good after working.

I really am confused as to how the people's land was taken then a leased back to them. It doesn't make sense to me that that could happen. It sounds like eminent domain, without the pay.

Week 5 Blog

This week I attended a group called Green Drinks durring class time. This is my last semester at HPU and I need to start looking for jobs. I was told by another professor that Green Drinks is a networking event for envrionmental professionals that only happens once a month on Tueday evenings so I had to attend. I'm running out of time to find a job!

When I got there, I didn't recognize anyone, so I went to the bar to buy a drink. The bartender proceeded to spray beer on me while opening my beer. Then, he gave me a full beer for free since he spilled mine. At that point I reeked of alcohol while holding two beers at a group of the people I was trying to network with. Needless to say, I left and consider the night a loss! Looks like I'll have to try again next time.

This week's post

I was really pleased with the speaker we had come into class this past week. I really wanted to learn more about Hawaiian culture and language before I leave HPU this December. As it turns out, this class is my only means I have left to do that through HPU. The speaker really put things in perspective for me and did a great job tying together culture, religion, and the environment. I was really happy to have gotten a lesson on some basics in Hawaiian language and to see how Hawaiians used to interact with thier environment.

Week 3 Blog

The last two weeks have been very interesting for me. I don't know if was done on purpose or just worked out that way, but I like the way the speakers were paired together. On both days, the first speakers were very fact-based. They presented their arguments in a way you could follow and then decide for yourself whether you agree with them or not. The second speaker on each day was almost a complete contrast. In both cases, they talked about things they felt or knew, but couldn't necessarily prove. Although I have to say the second speaker's message on both days isn't something I particularly agree with or follow, I do think it's a good learning opportunity to hear things from perspectives you're not used to if only to hear what opinions exist besides your own.

Anthropology, week 2

The guest speakers that we had come in today were very interesting. I really enjoyed Kevin's talk because he approached things in a very scientific, logical way. I also like to examine things that way, I find it easier to sort out fact from fiction if I leave emotion out my thought process. I'm really curious to see how his 5 - acre experiment works out for him and can't wait to see how they are putting things together when we go on our field trip. Also, I'm very curous to try the food at Sweet Home Waimanalo because I want to see what kind of locally produced cuisine they were able to come up with.

I felt bad for our other speaker and wish her the best at the supreme court, it was wrong for the other farm to claim organic and spray herbicide. Also, if herbicide is so toxic, why is it on the market in the first place?

Anyhow, I'm looking forward to this week's class.

Anthropology field trip thoughts

I am very excited to attend these field trips this upcoming semester. I feel like I haven't really been exposed to Hawaii's cultural historyup through this point in my education here at HPU. Perhaps an anthropology class should be required during a student's first year at HPU so they can appreciate the rich cultural history that Hawaii has and the important need to learn about it (I've learned through local newspapers this is lacking).

Even without a prior education on Hawaiian culture, I am looking forward to this class so I can leave Hawaii with a well-rounded education (as of now it consists of mainly science courses).

I'm going to make sure I go on field trips early because I want to make sure I don't procrastinate and end up scrambling at the end of the semester.

I plan on going to Ulupo Heiau due to my curiosity about Heiau's (and availability). I've been working at Kualoa Ranch which has at least one Heiau that has been neglected, and I can't wait to learn more about their significance and what can be done to maintain this historical place.