College Wide Event

This was the first Men's Hockey game of the season vs. Westfield
I chose a pic of the goalie because we won that game!
I chose this even because it is one that I mentioned at the beginning of the year, because my roommate at the time is a cheerleader and they cheer at the hockey games. It was fun to be there and support her but it was fun watching the game too! The crowd was awesome and energetic for the most part, the student section was more quiet than my high school games but still rowdy, and the team did really well! I like the rink and it's size is perfect too, and it connects to the warm room lobby, basketball court, and the rest of the gym/O'Keefe center. This helped my SOP here at school because I love attending sport events since I no longer play, plus its a good way to bond with who you are going to school with. I'll definitely be going again.

Attendance: Vermont Blog

1.) Some photos from fall and a picture of a Moose in my Grandma's pasture!
2.) Culture in VT can range from hippies that went to Goddard College and live in Montpellier, city goers from Rutland, college students that go to Middlebury or UVM, or farmers because honestly there are probably more cows in VT than people. But everybody is friendly for the most part, there isn't any traffic but people still don't know how to drive, high school there is big on sports, and there are touristy towns for skiing and snowboarding like Stowe and Killington. But when the mountains don't have snow on them they are also fun to hike during the summer! We may not be on a coast but we utilize lakes and ponds for summer water sports.
3.) It was great to see my friends when I went back for break! I've been trying to make new friends here but they won't ever live up tp my friends from back home. I love how close and comfortable we are and how we can have fun together no matter what we are doing because we just love each other so much that we just love being together in general. I hope I find similar friendships here, but it's always great to see my favorite people when I go back home.
4.) Obviously it was great to see my family and have Thanksgiving because what I love most of all about the holidays is being surrounded by people who love you for who you are unconditionally. I don't have that here, so it was reassuring and a great way to remember all that I have back at home waiting for me. It might not be like that here and that's okay, I count my blessings every time I'm home because they are the ones that I'm doing this for, I'm reminded of that every time I'm home. I miss them a lot but I'll be back soon!
5.) The environment and how I feel when I'm in VT is like no other. The level of comfort and confidence changes in an amazing way. I know the roads I'm driving on, I know the houses I pass, I know the people in the cars I pass, I know my way around town, I know what time things open and close, I know where to get my favorite food, I know where the cops sit so I don't get caught for speeding, where I can walk into my work and everybody says "We miss you!", where my friends and I can jump in a car and drive to go do something fun or go on an adventure without a worry in the world cause we are so caught up in the fun moment we are having with each other, where I can wake up and ask my mom to make me breakfast, where I can go jump on my sisters bed and play video games while I cuddle my dog, where I can go hunting with my dad and watch the sunrise, and where I feel most at home. Home, home. Not just my house, home.
6.) I'm on my own here, that feeling will go away in time but the first year of college out of state is hard for anybody. I know I will make friends and build my network and have new experiences everyday but for mow it's lonely and I count down the days until I go home. It's awesome getting out of VT and seeing and doing new things but I miss the familiarity and the go with the flow attitude. Here you have to go get it, want it, do it. Do everything on your own and I've honestly never had to do that before. I know it'll get better because I will learn how and I'll make friends but it's also not going to happen over night and I've learned that too. I'm still looking forward to the future and seeing what I am capable of here because not many people get the chance to leave VT so I need to make the most of the one I have.

Thanksgiving

Blog Choice 2
1. Usually on Thanksgiving my whole Dad's side of the family got together at his parents house, my Grandma's and Grandpa's house, and we would watch the movie Forrest Gump and eat dinner there. But having my Grandfather pass in November 2013 right before the holiday, that tradition stopped. This year we celebrated with my older sister's boyfriend's family, something different and new.
2. So me, my mom, my dad, my sister, her boyfriend, his parents, his brothers, and his grandparents had dinner at their house this year. Of course I miss our old family tradition, but things change and we still get together and celebrate his life every year but obviously it is not the same.
3.
4. I was back home in Barre, VT when I celebrated and we played a very intense game of Monopoly after while the Cowboys and Redskins played football on tv.
5. Even though traditions change, meaning doesn't. It's about being thankful for all the wonderful things you have and a time to count your blessings because some of your loved ones may not have made it to this holiday. Remember those less fortunate than you, give back if you can, and give thanks for the life you live.

2nd Park Reflection

1) This trip helped my SOP because I didn't know the bike path went down there and it is good to learn new things about my campus!
2) We were by the water but the water was low because of what little rain we have had here, and there are other paths that the bike path connects to.
3) Being from a land-locked state like VT I appreciate being so close to the ocean now because the only other time I'm near an ocean is when my family and I got to Maine for vacation once a year.
3 #2) I liked this trip because it got us out of the classroom to a new place for some of us. I like being outside but it will be getting cold soon! Hopefully there is still plenty to do on campus during the winter.
4) The iPad portion of the trip was a fun and creative idea, I haven't done that before and it was cool to see what everybody came up with, even though the technology wasn't fully o our side I think we still made it work!
5) Since I'm doing this early I'll respond to the pictures I know my group took, I liked the water and the rocks. And the one of everybody in the class thinking we are crazy for climbing down there! Also the one of Mikey meditating is pretty good and also the first video with the music is probably my favorite.

Triad Group Reflection

1. There were no other pictures allowed during the show

2. We went to the Salem Witch Museum because the Wax Museum was closed for the season.

3. We did not contact or make an appointment but it turns out that it is free for SSU students.

4. We didn't really ask any questions because they were all answered throughout the performance and tour after words, there was a lot of information and we learned a lot.

5. I found the which trials performance thing to be most interesting. It is rare you get to hear the real story and even see parts of it. There was no motion in the figures shown but the audio was spot on and I thought that was really cool. It was something different and definitely not what I expected it to be. The after part was pretty cool as well, leaning about the history and different kinds of witches, and that some consider it a religion is something I didn't know. The after part also had some interactive audio's to go along with them, which was pretty cool.

   There wasn't really anything that I didn't like. I did have some previous knowledge of the trials and we did go to the memorial site after. I had also visited the Witch House previously, where the judge used to live and that was also cool to learn about. The only thing unsettling about the whole thing is that Salem wasn't where a lot of the things that had to do with the trials happened, in fact all the hangings happened in Danvers. So not mentioning that is obviously okay, location doesn't matter but it should be acknowledged.

6. This contributed to my SOP in Salem because I loved learning more about witches and the Witch Trials because it is a part of history and it was the day after Halloween.

7. I want to learn more about what happened in Europe when faced with all the witch stuff, because it was mentioned in the audio that way more people died of it there than in these trials.

8. For our research papers, we each chose a person from the trials to write more in depth about so we can know just how much the trials affected people that lived it.

9. It says that the link is unpublished at this time but we already have ideas for our presentation.

Park Reflection

#1 and #2

#3 I respect the nature and how its an ecosystem. the trees depending on the sun and the squirrels depending on the tree. Everything that lives there needs each other.

#4 I value the park as a sanctuary almost because it is so peaceful, pretty, and welcoming.

#5 The park helped my SOP by making me appreciate the nature within the busy city that I didn't even know was there.

#6 I liked going there and that it wasn't that long of a walk but the writing was a little overboard I feel like we could've just went around in a circle and said/shared what we liked about it.

#7 This trip was probably my favorite and I'd love to do more like it.

Panel and Advising reflection

I wasn't there on this day but I will try my best from what other students told me.
1. A) the panel was helpful and nice and gave us lots of tips
B) that the freshman get last pick of classes, which I didn't know
C) how much you need to study is surprising in college because it wasn't necessary at all in high school.
D) how many activities are constantly going on here at campus
2. advising is different for each student, Justin was helpful and the flow chart is easy to understand, I already met with my advisor, I think I have a lot of support from my advisor, and I'm looking forward to the spring semester.
3.  spring means lacrosse season!
4. here is the course offerings https://www.salemstate.edu/assets/images/registrar/SSU_16_SPRING2017_SCHEDULE-v6aHD.pdf

Mini SOP

1. I think the articles descriptions of developing a sense of place are very helpful. Reading these can really make someone think and not have to try that hard to do these 25 things.
2. I have visited Salem, basically moved to Salem, got involved with the school, done research, visited historic sites, visited well-known restaurants, brought my family here, compared it to my hometown, and met plenty of new people.
3. The article suggests very close to nature sense of place and I disagree with that because finding a sense of place in a specific area doesn't consist a lot of being close to nature. Yeah we should know stimulate our senses where we are living but most nature is the same, it is the culture we should focus on.
4. I haven't taken the time to get close to the nature part of Salem besides our visit to the park but when it is warmer I would definitely like to got there more because by that time I will need to be getting outside more.
5. I guess I am afraid to pledge to the nature of Salem because I wouldn't be able to make any promises like that. I am also unsure of what I would be able to do, like in Vermont we have Green Up Day and the whole state goes out and picks up litter but Mass doesn't have that, so I'm unsure how I would pledge to nature to make it better.
6. I have no interest in sitting in the park and doing most of these things, I'm a hunter andspend a lot of time in the woods so I know how to sit there and take in the beauty of nature and youre surroundings, so honestly if I go back to the park, I would prefer to appreciate nature the way I know how instead of "talking" to it for example.

Farmers Market Reflection

Melissa and Honey Pot Maple Farms Stand

1) Yes we met Melissa and she is gorgeous! We also met her husband who was kind of critical of us at first.
2) I was struck by the small space that it was in, Maybe it is because it was the last one but i expected it to be much bigger. But it was cute and close-nit feeling like i predicted.
3)what kinds of products do you make?
how long have you been doing the farmers market?
do you like Salem and why?
since doing the farmers market do you feel like you have a sense of place here in Salem or that the farmers market helps create one?
4) We learned that she makes different types of honey and maple syrup, also farmers bees and has over 200 taps, she also makes powders, butters, and chapstick out of these products.
They have been doing the Salem farmers market for 3 years now.
They do like Salem especially in October but they do farmers markets in other towns too.
And that yes they feel like a part of Salem because of the farmers market.
5) Another interesting fact is that it is not the honey bee that is endangered but a bee native to Hawaii, and that her kids eat honey before bed, and that honey has natural healing abilities.
6) I liked this trip and it was very fun, glad we got to know the farmers market!
7) This contributed to my sense of place because we knew where we were, what way to go, and walked together. Once we got down town we did need to ask where the actual farmers market was, but the friendly people of the town that I asked had no problem telling me that it was just right around the corner we passed. It was heart warming and nice to compare to the farmers markets back home.
8)  

Library Reflection

1. The library helps build a sense of place at SSU because of how big it is, nice, warm, and easily accessible to everybody which makes people feel comfortable there.
2. The location helps make a sense of place because it's right in the middle of North Campus and has a big yard looking grass area and nice stair cases right outside the window.
3. I learned that the library itself was built purposely for the students and I learned about all the rooms and seating that it offers.
4. Researching is a big part in any college paper and he taught us about how to find proper resources.
5. Mapworks taught me that I don't have a big chance of leaving SSU anytime soon!
6. I didn't take any pictures.
7. There are librarians for majors, which is unique, helpful, and cool
http://www.salemstate.edu/library/4772.php

National Park

1) I learned from my reading that a lot of Massachusetts has Polish heritage. Other peoples readings taught me more about life back then and the way things used to be. I learned from our guide just how much things have changed since back then to what they are like now and it was very interesting. From the places we visited, I learned just how old and authentic this town is and I can't wait to learn more about it.
2)

3)

4) The official site https://www.nps.gov/sama/index.htm

5) a. What stuck me the most was how different life must have been back then, this tour really put that into perspective. The ocean smelt salty and like sulfur. 400 years ago I bet the site looked a lot younger and more thriving. I liked all the stories she told about the people that used to live there. The most striking was how they used their yards as a trash pile/place.

b. I think the trip served my sense of place positively. I found it all intriguing and the history was an amazing story to hear, it really gives a new viewpoint on the town and how rich of time it really has been here. Also reminds us that we are the future of here, yes the past is important and great but my sense of place is now and in the future, make the most of it so maybe one day our story will be told.

6) I have no questions!

Jim Lecture

1) I found it interesting how Jim spoke about the authenticity of this restaurant. I struck me because it doesn't seem like there are many places like that anymore.
2) He answered every question with heart just like his story was filled with heart, it broke mine when he started crying.
3) I learned a lot about what a community should not only look like but feel like as well.
4) http://redssandwichshop.com/

This restaurant is interesting because it is so little yet it means so much to the community. Salem thrives on authenticity and sense of place everywhere in it.
5) Option 2: the speakers reminded me that this chapter of my life, college, is just starting and I have a lot to look forward to in the time that I have at school here. The speakers were personal and that's what made it effective. I don't think it could've gone better. It impacted my engagement because one can only hope to find a sense of place as strong as Jim's. I rate it a 2 only because I zoned out once or twice.