Journal 1

Journal Entry #1: Florida Environment
Throughout the nine years I have been living in Florida I have made many connections to our environment. I have realized that these connections have been made mostly through outdoor activities. For example, whenever I get upset I find it extremely relaxing just sitting outside and listening to nature or just walking my dog. I feel that nature is soothing and is always anywhere and everywhere I go. The sounds of the birds chirping, the crickets and the frogs help me forget about my worries and admire nature. My connection to the Florida environment is not as strong as it should be but I feel it growing gradually. My time spent outdoors is mostly when I decide to go running, walk my dog, get upset, community service, and when talking on the phone. Sitting on the beach at night, listening to the waves crash and watching the stars in the sky is when I feel completely at peace; nothing seems to matter. While running I also take the time to gaze into the sky, breath in the fresh oxygen, watch flocks of birds, hear the trees brush against the wind, or even watch the caterpillars and snails appear right after the rain. Sometimes when I am having deep conversations on the phone I feel an urge to just step outside and have my conversation in the tranquility of the night. The environment
Al though I don’t experience nature hands on I do believe it has an impact on our daily lives and that somehow some way it affects what we do every day.