Journal 3

“Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization,” or more commonly known as ECHO, wasn’t what I expected it to be at all! First of all, when leaving to go on this field trip, I didn’t even know what ECHO stood for. It wasn’t until I got there that I was told it was a place that was trying to solve world hunger. The video that we watched was interesting but it didn’t affect me on an emotional level. It wasn’t until the very end of the tour that I really became emotionally involved. Our teacher instructed us to stuff ourselves (about fifteen of us per group) into these small huts. When she told us that people actually live in these horrible conditions, I was appalled. I really felt a genuine appreciation for everything that I take for granted on a daily basis. Another thing that really caught my attention was the trees that were being grown from a pile of soda cans! We were told that they place a mat underneath them and there are specific kinds of plants and trees that can actually grow from them. I found it really interesting to discover that people could grow their own food even in the most populated areas of huge cities. The final thing that caught my attention, as I’m sure most of my classmates would agree to, is the Maringa tree. When we were shown the dirty water bottles and the difference between those and the ones treated with Maringa seeds, I thought it was amazing that nature could do something so revolutionary. I think if people from these different geographical areas knew they could literally grow their own food WHEREVER they are, it would help solve world hunger. Where I live is actually about ten minutes from ECHO so I have every intention of completely my service learning for colloquium there.

Word Count = 310

Journal 2

Growing up in Clewiston, Florida was fun. The town is literally seven traffic lights and two major roads. Everyone knows everyone. Although I wasn’t the most popular girl in school, I had a lot of friends and I loved hanging out with them. It’s known as “America’s Sweetest Town” because it is the only town that actually has a sugar mill within city limits. I was born and raised there so I lived in a number of different houses, but Clewiston was home!

THE FIVE SENSES IN MY HOMETOWN!

SITE:

√ I remember seeing the smoke from the sugar mill against the skyline.

√ I remember seeing the sunset on Lake Okeechobee (as Clewiston is right on the border of lake) when I would go there to hang out with friends.

√ I remember watching the football games so many fall nights.

TASTE:

√ I remember tasting the great food at the football games. Clewiston was known for their football! We even made it to State three times while I was living there.

√ I remember tasting the shaved ice drinks from Hawaiian Shaved Ice.

√ I remember tasting my mom’s amazing cooking on school nights.

SMELL:

√ I remember the horrible smell of the sugar mill that ran through the town.

√ I remember the way the fresh cut grass smelled on the first day of every school year.

√ I remember the smell of new clothes every Christmas in Clewiston.

HEARING:

√ I remember hearing my alarm clock every morning for school. UGH!

√ I remember hearing the terror in my friend’s voice when she told me about the attacks on the twin towers the morning of September 11, 2001.

√ I remember hearing the loudspeaker calling my name on the night of my high school graduation!

TOUCH:

√ I remember touching my sister’s hand when she was diagnosed with diabetes.

√ I remember the way it felt to hold my flag during color guard.

√ I remember the way if felt to hug my mom when I left home.

Home is where your heart is and Clewiston, Florida is where my heart is because it is my home. So many memories were made there!

Word Count = 367