Becoming an Adult

The thought of leaving behind everything and everyone I was comfortable with used to frighten me. Moving out my parent’s house used to travel in my thoughts like a huge, terrifying monster that I would not have to worry about for a long time. Now that I’m about to finish my Associate degree in Biology and about begin my life into the real world, that monster is quickly approaching. However, I no longer look at growing up and leaving my parent’s house as a traumatic event, but rather as a brand new adventure to embark on. The reason I now feel ready to jump right into this adventure is majorly due to my experience living with my aunt.

My aunt‘s home has been my retreat for the past 6 months. I moved in with her due to my parent’s insecurity of me becoming an adult and experiencing life. While living with my aunt, I have learned what responsibility meant on a whole new level. I have been responsible for making decisions on my own, using my free time wisely, paying my bills on time and respecting the opinions of others.  I was not being constantly pounced, followed, or watch by her. Instead she gave me space and trusted my decisions. She allowed me learn myself, and learn to become independent. She took the negativity which I once lived out of my life and showed me nothing but positive.  She shaped my perceptive on how I viewed things. She gave me the encouragement and support I needed in becoming the young adult I am.

Upon living with my aunt, I found myself acting less like a teenager, and more like a young adult. For instance instead of requesting for someone to accompany me when going to take care of business, I take the responsibility to do it on my own. I now know that it is best not to depend on others to much and always be prepared to take on obstacles on my own. In other words she taught me how to be a go-getter. I also now learn to budget my money now that I have no other source of receiving money. I am not as naive as I was when living with my parents. One thing I have still not accomplish is putting base in voice ( she says I talking like a child, and needs a more firmer voice). I do not think I will be accomplishing that anytime soon, so she will just have to live with that.

Independence is another large aspect of becoming an adult, and by being required to rely on myself to solve problems in the real world. I have a newly found confidence in myself and in others have prepared me for what lies ahead in life. The experience of being an adult, in my eyes, is intended to promote one’s growth as an individual while being surrounded by and involved with many diverse groups of people. My experience with living with my aunt as taught me just how to do that.

Light Pollution

For my research paper I decided to write about light pollution. I feel that light pollution is something we tend to look over and fail to see the destruction it causes on a day to day basis. Not only are we hurting our self as human but we are affection other organisms ( including animals and plants) around us. The reason for this all is the lack of awareness of the issue. When looked at the problem really is not that hard to fix, with the right information and the will power this issue can be solved. Simply things such as making sure your outdoor lights are directed down to the ground where it is needed, picking the correct light bulbs for the task, Control the amount of light for the job required,using the right amount of light for the task, not overkill. Light pollution can be solved one town at a time, if we really wanted to.

My research will consist of four sections – What is light pollution? Why is light pollution awareness important? What can we do about light pollution? Lastly, my conclusion.

1. What is light pollution? This section will explain the components of light pollution such as light trespass, sky-glow, and glare. In this section I will identify the problem of lighting hat is commonly used in and around homes like street lights, upward aimed lights, flood lights, and lights without hoods.
2. Why is light pollution awareness important? In this section I will discuss the astronomical, ecological, and environmental consequences of light pollution. For example, I will explain how visions of night sky is obscured, how common animals are affected, and how humans are affected, linking this with information provided from the documentary City Dark (sea turtles, visibility of stars in well-lit cities). I will also include information about the energy, and the money that could be saved with the use of appropriate artificial light.
3. What can you do about light pollution? In this section, I will discuss ways that homeowners can reduce light pollution along with businesses. This will included easy suggestions for appropriate wattage, light covering, and reducing the use of outside lighting. Here I would use some of my secondary sources, that explains simple designing and their suggestions to fixing light pollution.
4. Conclusion. This will be the final section of my research paper where I summarize what was discussed and put a final stress to the issue.

I feel that my paper will demonstrate both kairos( due to the fact that light pollution is becoming and issue and its on high rise) and ethos appeal ( because I will be using the the participants from the documentary and their claims in my research).

Crimes and Lighting

Lighting is often assumed to reduce crime without question. According to the director Ian Cheney, “ there is no controversy over whether more lights lead to less crime, but there is agreement that light seems to make people feel safer, almost like it’s built into our genes to move closer to the campfire or to the brightest city.

I agree, with the statement of us feeling safer a well-lit place. But,I am doubtful that people are attracted to well-lit cities for safety from burglars. People due tend to believe they are much safer when their environment is lighten. This is why you find many people have motion lights in their yard, they feel that it scares off their predator, or you tend t see neighborhoods with more lights. As someone takes a stroll late night in the park, they get the sense that they cannot become a victim because their surroundings are well lit. People believe that criminals are not bold enough to commit crimes a well-lit environment. I feel that this mentality, is why people are scared of the dark.

As a woman , I hate being in darkness, because I feel that in the dark you are vulnerable. Your vision is partial when surrounded by darkness. Anything can happen in the dark, kidnapped, kill, robbed, and much more. If someone is going to commit a crime it will be better to do so in the dark. But, by having a well-lit environment these events are likely to be prevented.

As humans we have grown to the comfort and security light has to bring. So I can see why people would believe more light leads to less crimes. I personally do not believe light reduces crime, nor do I believe it increases crimes, but then again others state otherwise.

See, lighting has a its pros and cons when viewed closely. For example, street lighting could prevent crime by improving visibility and so increasing perceived risk and also by encouraging public street usage which intensifies natural surveillance . Lighting can highlight potential targets, and even escape routes - in short, light can help criminals be quick and quiet. Lighting can help criminals see what they are doing, minimizing any risk to themselves. So by having it in our heads that the light actually protects us from criminals , actually makes us potential victims.

When reading the quote you get the sense of Cheney saying it is a tendency to seek light, all because it gives the sense of security. Light stands as a guided path for us, and for us, it is our need to follow this guided path. 

The City Dark

"Chad Moore, of the National Parks Service, reminds us, When we add light to the environment, that has the potential to disrupt habitat, just like running a bulldozer over the landscape can. Darkness is a necessary habitat for nocturnal animals, so what's the habitat for people?" (qtd. in City Dark)

 

Light pollution produces these destructive consequences. Every living thing depends on the Earth's regular rhythm of day and night to manage internal cycles. Some animals depend on this dark source to search for food and mate. But, us as human beings do not worry about how other living organisms will adapt to our convenience.

 When reading this quote you have to stop and think about how selfish we look, but also how we are harming the life of other living organisms. Light pollution is harming the lives of animals such as birds, sea turtles and even plants.  For example, birds use the moonlight and stars as a way of navigating through the night skies, but with brightly- lighten cities they become disoriented and crash into these brightly- lighten buildings. Another example, some plants bloom at night but with the excessive use of lights, prevents this from happening.

As seen in the documentary light pollution also endangers sea turtles. Sea turtles are attracted to light. Newly born sea turtles need the dark sky to find their way towards the sea, but because of artificial light behind the beach, they end up heading towards the cities instead of the sea.

Animals that have to avoid predators, such as frogs, or snakes, constrain their movements under a full moon, and hunt on moonless night, others search for food after dark, but because of high use of lights, they never get to see that darkness they wait for.

The things that we find so convenience in our daily lives have now token a toll on other organisms. I feel as though, we do not worry about things unless they affect us. So let me state, not only are animals and plants affected by light pollution, but we as human beings are. Light pollution (Indoor lights and outdoor) affect our melatonin level which can lead to cancer. Indoor and outdoor light sources affect our basic cycle within our bodies.

With that being said, “Are we actually benefiting from our excess use of light source?” Not really, if you ask me. Cancer is not beneficial for one’s health.

The sad part about this whole thing is that this type of pollution continues to spread and intensify in countries throughout the world, and many people remain unaware of its negative impact. We have grown to enjoy the things ease our living, but can cause potential harm to not just animals, but us too.

By turning off unnecessary lighting, closing your blinds while lights are on, or turning off the television before you go to bed, you are making difference. With a few cut backs, and new designs, we can put an end to light pollution, and preserve our planet.

Wait, Where's the Sky!!!!!!

     About three nights ago my boyfriend and I went on to his back porch to take a look at the night sky. There was barely anything to see, besides a blank canvas.  We literally could count every star that was visible from our sight, and believe me there wasn’t many. I was quite shock because back at home in the islands, the sky would normally be lit, with little diamonds that cluttered the night sky.

I remember as a little girl walking with my mom to the beach, where we would look up at the night sky trying to count every little diamond as she would say. The sky was so beautiful and lit. The stars were so bright and made my mom and I look small compared to them.  I felt as though the night sky complemented the beach each time we visited.

The night sky in Houston has nothing on the night sky back home.  The night sky here in Houston projects nothing but a gloomy sky. It’s as though the sky is wrapped in this foggy plastic cover, where you can barely get a good view of its true beauty. This foggy plastic cover would be referred by astrologist as light pollution.

I find it sad that because of the light pollution here in Houston new cannot view the true beauty of the night sky.  We are unable to see the sky with our own eyes, which is sad. I feel as a city we should do something about this.  With light pollution here, people who are interested in astronomy will not be able benefit.  Children cannot go in their backyard and actually witness one of nature’s beautiful sights for themselves.

I’m sure I am not the only one who is troubled by this, and if I am the only one who is concerned that is sad.  We need to raise the awareness, to help reduce light pollution. Like seriously, who finds staring at a blank sky fascinating, I sure don’t. If we don’t do something about this situation now, the younger generation will grow up unable to see the stars that light up the night sky.

It’s kind of funny how this week blog topic was a huge eye-opener to me. It raised my awareness on how we as human can find comfort in the things we need such as light, but also how we fail to see how simple things go disappearing right before our eyes. I never noticed that there was not stars in the sky until told to do so.  Sad I know, but I’m sure I am not the only one. I them thought about how my mom would take me out to look at the sky as a little girl, and how infatuated I was with the night sky too now, where you can only get a view of darkness.  Those little diamonds that once use to light up the night sky have now slowly began to vanish before our eyes.

Love Spoken In An Unusual Way

Majority of poems are about love or the harsh after taste of a relationship which was once sweet, to a relationship gone bitter. Carol Ann Duffy's poem "Valentines" and Julie Sheehan's poem "Hate", both express love.

When you first take a look at Julie Sheehan's poem "Hate", you would assume that the poem is about hate, but instead the poem is about love. The poem given from a woman's perspective. She goes into a great depth of details, attempting to make the readers and herself feel as though she hates this person she speaks about. When you clearly get the sense that this a woman that is obsessed with this person she speaks about. For example, she states " Everything about me hates everything about you… The history of this key-chain hates you… My aorta hates you.  Also my ancestors… Layers of hate, a parfait.”  Here she gives a detailed list of hate which truly  symbolizes how she constantly thinks of him, and sees him in every detail of her life. Another example that's give strong proof of this is when she goes on by saying, "My lungs, duplicitous twins, expand with the utter validity of my hate, which can never have enough of you.”  Shes admitting that her every breath is a thought of him. You get the sense that she  fears the power of this love, and would prefer to think of it as hate. 

Opposed to Julie Sheehan's poem "Hate", Carol Ann Duffy poem "Valentines", describes the love between two people and how one uses an onions to represent the love they share. She also goes on by using the scent of an onion to describe if one was to leave the relationship, the lethal scent of an onion will for ever be cling to them, no matter if new love was to be found. In this poem She rejects the gifts typically associated with Valentine’s Day, such as ‘red-rose’, ‘satin cloth’, ‘cute card’, ‘kissogram’ but by bringing an ‘Onion’ as a gift which we find in the second line as “I give you an onion”.This poem symbolizes how real love is. The different layers of the onion are like the layers of someone’s personality. Beauty is just skin deep, but discovery of true character deepens one’s love. Carol describes a beautiful idea that true love is not based on the color of the skin or appearance, but in discovering the true personality of the other.

The two poems share the theme of love, Duffy's poem tone was a bit more aggressive than Sheehan's, whose poem was more in the tone of an obsessed woman. I feel that unlike Sheehan's poem, Duffy's poem can be seen from both a females and males perspective, but the male perspective more seldom. Both poems have an extensive use of negative language. 

I really enjoyed both poems and how the authors of these poems describe love in such different styles. I feel like both poets succeeded when it came to developing a connection with the poem.

"The Arm"

In the poem "The Arm", it tells an interesting off-beat story. I find this poem to be interesting simply because most poems do not start off with a line such as, "A doll’s pink, broken-off arm was floating in a pond. The man had come to with his dog.” It gives a whole different feel to opening lines. The meanings behind his words are very serious, tough, and most of the poem shows or represents sad thoughts. Which lead me to wonder why would the poet begin his poem with such a line? I find this line highly unusual. 

Another thing that was quite confusing and a bit odd was the poet referring to the subject "The man" as of to “A man". Normally a poems use first person, but this poet uses third person. If anything I would think that the poet would refer to the man for the first time as “A man". The use of “the” gives the reader a sense of already being familiar with the man, and gives the character a much different persona in the reader’s mind.

Another question that came to my mind while reading this poem is, “Who exactly is this man, who would see the arm of a doll in a pond on his walk and not regard it as garbage, but as a piece of plastic with a history, which someone once held dearly?" I wonder if the reason the man stopped is that the arm could have possibly brought back memories or a similar incident. I mean for example, the scenario he give us of an older sister being furious at her younger sister, taking it out on her one limb at a time. Maybe that the arm was in the water because the man came in the future and is remembering when he threw that doll’s arm that belonged to his sister in the water and forgot about it.

After my first analysis of the poem, I did not fully understand it, however, is kept on re-reading it over and over, thinking deeper into the meaning. The poem covers Covering sibling rivalry, sexuality, and marital differences, and probably more I probably did not even recognize, this poem is more complex in one page then most short poems or books I’ve read. The poet uses subtlety to tell the story of two rivaling sisters that fight and argue and at the peak of a dispute; the older sibling throws an arm from the younger girl’s doll in the pond. I feel that approach was probably to create a deep connection with the reader.

However, the poet goes on by pushing the level of complexity in this poem even further, by including a father’s dislike for his son’s sexuality. Explaining that taking the arm off of the doll was the father’s idea of a punishment. At this point, it would seem that those are the only messages that the poet is trying to tell us, but even in the final lines of the poem, he adds an even more subtle conflict/issue. Stating, “his wife was sure to question” which also leaves the impression in in my mind that he was also thinking of the differences in opinion or belief between a man and his wife.

One thing I did enjoy about this poem is the symbolic element of this man reacting to an odd situation in a good way, embracing it rather than ignoring it. I feel that the poem in general shows that this character reacts to odd situations like this in a good way all the time, taking advantage of things that most people wouldn’t. I really enjoyed  that this poem is both a story and a more general message about the character in it.