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.