Portland state

We visited Portland State university yesterday. My cousin was kind enough to give me a tour of all the "important" places there (aka: nearby food carts, the library, the rec center, the lecture hall, a classroom or two, and the student hang-out areas).
                                      I really like it there.
     More than any other college I've visited so far, anyway (which is like, 3... so its not like I have a lot to go on... But still. It's in Portland Oregon, and that's a big bonus...).

There's gardens and parks all around, and while it's in the middle of the city, it's not all the hustle-and-bustle that's at the University of Minnesota (which I extremely dislike). It's a pretty cool building, and the campus spreads out about 5 blocks in every direction - so it's big. I can't decide if I like that or not...

While we were there, it really hit me how far away from home I would be. I wouldn't be able to just gradually ease myself into independent living - it would just be Wham!, you're on your own.

I'm really starting to consider getting my generals done, then heading out later (when i actually have a clue as to what I want to do...).

And.
I really want to check out University of Montana.

I am really starting to grasp the concept that you need to visit the campus to get a real feel of the college. Who knows? I might visit the U of Montana and absolutely hate it.
But I also might love it more than any other place I've visited yet.

It's kind of a scary thought... Like, what if I went to a college and spent all this money, and then wound up hating it? I mean, I don't think that would happen - I'm pretty good at taking what comes and making the best of it (I am not a pessimist, okay Mr. Johnson?) - but it's a nerve-racking thought.  I dont get frightened easily...


It's just that...

                            Growing up scares me.

                                                                              A lot.

Born free... Or at least, they should have been.

                    There's nothing that quite compares to a day at the zoo.


You've got all these animals - from the small meerkat to the long-necked giraffe - right in front of your eyes. Instead of having to traveling all over the world to see these amazing creatures, they've all been conveniently placed within walking distance.

But I admit.

I have conflicted feelings about Zoos.

Part of me loves the fact that I get to see these animals alive and moving, instead of stuffed or skinned. I love how I can watch them in action... The way their muscles move and the way they flick their tails and the way they sway when they walk. I love studying the slopes of their back, the way their ears curve, and the way their feet are shaped. I could easily sit in front of a single exhibit for an hour, just watching an animal.

                           But I can't help but think,
                                          this isn't their home.




I get this burst of sadness, knowing these animals will never know true freedom. They've been taken from their natural habitat and put on display for the entertainment of humans.

Granted, they'll never have to hunt for their food again.
They'll never have to worry about being killed by another predator.
They get to live a much longer life then that of their wild counterparts.

But... Is it really living? Are they happy with their captivity?

Most of these animals were either born in the company of humans, or were saved from injury or disease and were unable to be released back into their primitive habitat.

So we're doing them a favor, right?

Yeah. They're in captivity for their own good. We're trying to help them. We're doing what's best for them.

But the truth is, we wouldn't have to take care of these animals in captivity if we would take care of them in the wild.




We cut down their forests. We take away their food supply. We invade their territory. We kill them for killing our sheep, even though we're the ones responsible for their starvation. We poach them for their beautiful coats. We kill them because we label them as pests.


                                      We kill them because they intimidate us.
                             We kill them because they are powerful and mighty.                               
                                  We kill them because they are wild and free.
                               
                             


I fear that one day, the only way we will be able to view these alluring and magnificent creatures is behind glass windows and fences.




If that ever happened...

                    It would be sick.







                               And incredibly, unbelievably sad.

Wonderful Relaxation

So here I am, back to blogging my day-by-day experiences by popular demand (I really had no idea you people were actually reading these boring old things!)

Today was a pretty mellow day, as was the day  before. I was so tired from being on the go-go-go, that it feels pretty great to just kick back and do nothing. Watching movies, writing stories, sketching pictures... The only thing I'm craving right now is my acrylic paints and my canvas... =P

I went for a walk with my Aunt the other day... It was so cool. All we had to do was step outside the house and walk around the neighborhood. We didn't have to go to a lake or a flower garden to find some scenery to keep us entertained - beauty was already everywhere.

We walked and walked, and I marveled and marveled. There were mountains in the distance and trees scattered everywhere.

We walked some more.

We walked so much that I thought my legs were gonna fall off. We walked up and down hills, around ponds, and in the street. We kept the same fast, steady pace throughout the entire time. I thought for sure we had gone for at least 7 miles...

Imagine my surprise when I found out it was only 4.

Golly, I'm really out of shape. That evening, my legs felt like half cooked noodles! My basketball coach would be disappointed... =(