Blog 11: Holiday Project Update

Over break I only went to Planet Rehab twice. I went on Tuesday nights, like I usually do, to help out for craft night. Gary was able to catch me up on some of our progress on our Rainforest Initiative. He also told me that we are taking a huge step by sponsoring tours to Costa Rica! I was also able to help plan a couple of our events which are upcoming pretty soon.

I learned that our hardest goal with our Rainforest Initiative is the money we need to raise. We have set many events to raise enough money to at least purchase a couple of acres by 2016. It's a huge project in progress but we are slowly making our way to our goal.

In a ten question interview I'd speak with Gary. He is my best source because we are suppose to make my senior project come to life. What I mean by that is my project is based on our Rainforest Initiative. I'd ask many questions on HOW were are going to be able to sustain such a huge portion of land. I'd also like to know how Gary would go about managing life in the bush and in the city.

Additional Blog: Pictures of Events/Volunteer Days

 

These photos above were from our International Food Festival where we promote vegetarian cuisines.

 

These photos are from our Beach Clean Up!

 

Blog 10: EQ

1. I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ

2.

A) What is the most important factor in weight loss?

The answer to this EQ would become a list. The question seems a little too broad and open-ended. This EQ should be rephrased in order to be able to have multiple answers.

B) What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

This EQ does follow by the rule of three. It's broad enough to have more than one answer and it allows for more thinking. The EQ is also very clear on what is being asked.

C) What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

The wording of the question is incorrect, this may confuse the reader (It definitely confused more for a second). This EQ does not follow the rule of three due to the wording and confusion.

D) How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain? 

I feel this EQ does follow the rule of three. Its very short and sweet but allows for multiple answer to be present. It also is worded in a way that is very easy to understand.

3. My second EQ is...

What is the best/fastest way to rehabilitate the rainforest?

Blog 9: Lesson 1 Reflection

1. Positive Statement

What were you most proud of in your Lesson 1 Presentation and why?

I am most proud of how I was able to calm myself down by speaking about my experiences. I was pretty nervous towards the beginning of my presentation and knowing I can relax myself in the middle of it makes me feel a lot more confident. Its another useful tool in my pocket.

2. Questions to Consider

A) What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 1 Presentation (self-assessment)?

AP

B) Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence form the Lesson 1 component contract.

I feel I deserve an AP because I gave information on where,who, and why I work at. I was able to give experiences that I faced. I feel that I had good hook activity. I gave general information on the environment. I explained what my topic and EQ were about and how they were connected as well.

3. What worked you in your Lesson 1?

I felt that explaining what I went through while mentoring was definitely a very interesting topic for the audience. They seemed to enjoy what I was talking about. It also calmed me down because in the very beginning I was pretty nervous.

4. (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 1?

I would have focused more on my topic rather than my experiences. I felt like I could've gone into more detail with my topic. I also could've organized myself more too. I did feel like I was sort of jumping around to different sub-topics a lot.

Additional Blog: Experiences

While working with Planet Rehab, I have had many unforgettable memories. Volunteering has has helped me create bonds with the animals, as well as the people I work with. The people I work with feel very strongly for the environment as I do. It immediately allows for us to make a connection and we will educate each other on things we really didn't know about. I once came across a girl while volunteering who taught me about the practice of collecting fur from bunnies. It is very inhumane to kill rabbits for their furs so instead the person doing this practice rips out large portions of the rabbits fur. This happens to several thousands of rabbits. Technically this practice is humane due to the fact that the rabbit isn't being killed. When I heard this I was very angry and felt like they should've just killed the rabbits instead. When she was done explaining, I saw her crying and I had no clue what to do or say so I changed the topic quickly.

When I volunteer, we tend to spend a lot more time with the animals. I think its the most fun to approach the goats because I, myself, own goats. I like to compare their personalities to mine, as weird as that my sound. I find this very interesting and fun to observe.

My goats tend to be more mellow, but they do "talk" a lot more than Gary's goats. His goats tend to be more active, meaning they run around more and they play with each other a lot. This is just some things I've observed. I find observing the behaviors of both groups of goats is very amusing.

After doing the work that needed to be done, everyone would meet in the family room, where we usually talked about the many problems of the environment. This is where I would learn all the information I know about our ecosystems. Gary was so passionate about saving the environment, it got me thinking that I should really try making a difference myself. Thus, the reason why I continued to go and volunteer for Gary.

Everything I have experienced within my four years of volunteering has really changed my views for the better. These memories I hold are things that I would never want to forget.

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

1. What is my working EQ?

My working EQ is, "What is the best way to balance equilibrium between man and nature?"

2. What is my possible answer to my working EQ?

What is the best way to balance equilibruim between man and nature?

• Finding equilibrium between man and nature is something not everyone feels is important. Educating people would definitely make a huge difference in helping the find this balance.
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3. What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your EQ?

My best sources are my own experiences with people, also what information and examples that Gary has given/told me. I feel that if being able to find a balance than it will allow for us to coexist with our environment, without any troubles. I also feel that its EXTREMELY important to help the environment because humans have put it in the state of trouble that is only getting worse by the minute.

4. Who is your mentor, or where are you doing your mentorship, and how does what you are doing relate to your EQ?

My mentor is Gary C. Mitchel, who is the leader of "Planet Rehab." Which I have been working with for four years. I usually show people who are new to Planet Rehab, how to feed all the animals. Also to interact with some. Being able to interact with animals from many different places around the world can bring a sense of sympathy. Letting the newcomers know what is going on with these specific animals and their habitats can motivate them to come more often. They will commit more of their time to Planet Rehab, allowing us to have more help and having educated one more person.

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

What is my Independent Component?

I plan on volunteering with another organization named "Lily Sanctuary," that only rescues birds. Most of them originating from all around the world. I know I can learn a lot more about the rainforest due to the animals they rescue. I will definitely ask their opinions on the environment and what they feel the rainforest needs in order to become more sustainable. I will be doing my thirty hours with them, also to become more knowledgeable and confident about my topic. I plan on recording my hours on an I-Poly hours sheet, which shows the amount of hours done and the signature needed. I know in helping this organization, I can learn more about the rainforest in ways I'd never be able to think of or even consider.