Plans Change

                Today I met with David again. It had been a decent amount of time since our last meeting, because our schedules have not matched up very well. A lot has changed. A few minutes into the conversation, after we exchanged small talk about how our day had been and whatnot, out of nowhere David told me in a serious tone that he had recently gotten married. David is 19 and has only been living in the country since July, so I was pretty surprised by this news. He married a woman who is neighbors with his aunt and uncle, with whom he lives. Still, I congratulated him and a big smile stretched across his face; you could tell he was expecting a different response from me.

                I asked David how his parents reacted. He told me he hadn’t talked to his parents in a while because that was his uncle’s rule, but he called them a few days before the wedding. They were shocked and somewhat disappointed with the news. His mother was worried about his age and his father was upset because this wasn’t “part of the plan.” My heart broke for David when he told me about his parents’ initial lack of support. Deciding to get married is one of the biggest decisions in a person’s life and not having my parents’ approval of my decision would be discouraging to say the least. His classmates and teachers are also very surprised when he tells them, most replying with, “You’re so young!”

I was honest with him and told him that I personally would not consider getting married at my age and the point I’m at in my life. I wouldn’t consider getting married during my undergraduate years, and I see myself most likely waiting until at least the end of medical school (if that’s where my path takes me), and possibly after. But it is impossible and futile to plan out your whole life and the exact date when events like marriage will take place and, like David, someday my plans might change out of the blue. Still, David said he was happy and confident in the choice he made, and I think that is all that matters.

                Now that David is married, his plan has definitely take a 180. He recently got a job in landscaping and is now very busy with work on top of his studies. I think this will prove to be a positive experience for him because a job gets him more involved in the community and interacting with other people to help improve his English and social skills. Not to mention he is obviously bringing in income and gaining valuable work experience in America.

                I asked David what his new plan was. He told me that he first plans on using the money he makes from his job to pay for his own apartment. He no longer wants to live with his aunt and uncle now that he is married, so he has taken the initiative to get his own place. He wants to continue his education until the end of this year and then he plans on joining the Navy. He has always been interested in the military and he has several family members who are also in the Navy who he has been speaking to about it. As a matter of fact his wife is also in the Navy and she will be touring overseas for a year I believe he said, starting around the beginning of 2015.

                Although David made a decision that most people might question or even disapprove of, he remains unwavering and confident. He has developed a plan and seems to know how to handle this crazy turn in his life. And because of that I have the utmost respect for him. Most people might not be able to handle the pressure from family, friends, and society when faced with his situation, but he is handling it so well. I will keep supporting him and I am excited to see where this takes him.    

Food, Sportz, and Grocery Stores

Today I met with David for lunch at the BLUU upon my suggestion. When we got there, one of the first things he said was how he disliked the food at market square, so that was good. I offered to go eat somewhere else, but he decided to stick it out. We discussed the convenience of always having pizza and hamburgers at the BLUU if you don’t have much time, but we both eat pretty clean. This led to the topic of exercising and he told me how he gets up at 6am every morning to go lift before class, which is a pretty bold move for any college student. David also enjoys playing basketball; as a matter of fact, he actually got a scholarship to play ball back in Colombia. So I look forward to challenging him in a game of one-on-one and showing off my less than impressive jump shot, subpar ball-handling skills, and inadequate 5’8 frame.

 I do think it is really cool how easy it is to connect with people via sports and physical activity, even if they are from different continents. We hit it off for a solid 15-20 minutes just talking about exercising and sports. He explained that most people in Colombia play basketball or soccer because you really just need a ball and a net. He enjoys baseball and football, but not many people play those there because the equipment isn’t easily accessible. David has also never been to an American football game, so I encouraged him to come out to one of the TCU games. He was pretty shocked when I told him all he needed was to show his student ID to get in to the game. I am pretty curious as to how he would react to the atmosphere at Amon G. Carter Stadium. I’ve never been to a soccer match, but I’m sure they get pretty rowdy, especially in a country where that sport dominates like in Colombia. I wonder if there are chants similar to how we do them, and if fans act the same way as the students at the games (some more aggressive than others.)

David lives around 15 minutes away from campus with his aunt and uncle, so we began to talk about the comparisons in living situations. He told me that in Colombia there aren’t suburban areas, and most live in big urban cities. He didn’t have to drive anywhere because just about everything was within walking distance, even grocery stores, which they also do very differently there. Instead of having everything in one big store like a Walmart, many families own their own small stores, some in their own garage. He said you can get items like shampoo, eggs, sheep and other various items and they usually just hop around to these different little shops around where they lived, which intrigued me. When you live on a college campus, most places you go are within walking distance including stores like Kroger and CVS. But back at home in suburbia, you basically have to drive everywhere, and I told David this. I can’t imagine just going to my next door neighbor and buying shampoo or a sheep off of them. That’s pretty nuts.

He did tell me how convenient he thought gas stations were, though. One day, he was either biking or running (I can’t remember which) and he had to stop to get something to drink. He went into a gas station and was amazed at how much they had. However, he must have stopped in a rougher area of town, because he said he felt like the gas station was dangerous. It was interesting to hear him say how he noticed how nice TCU is, but just around the corner are very rough areas. It’s still puzzling to me how that happens, and even someone who hasn’t been in the country long notices the abrupt change in quality and socioeconomic status.

It is interesting to hear the perspective of someone who hasn’t lived in America for long, and I am continuing to learn from my meetings with David.

A Reflection on Population Growth

World population growth. Another “invisible” crisis. Maybe not in an extreme sense, but it’s still not a topic you hear about on the news every day. Maybe it’s not even a horrible crisis, but instead has potential to be beneficial. More people on the planet means more people who have the potential to cure cancer. More prospective leaders, more entertainers, more people who can make a difference. But the bottom line is that this growth has the ability to cause issues and ignoring its existence is foolish and irresponsible.

Some of the statistics are staggering: 9 billion people on Earth by 2045. 210,000 people added to the world’s population each day. Nearly 80 million added each year. I recently viewed a website that has real time world statistics on population; essentially a population clock. The overall number is constantly going up one by one at all times, never stopping or going backwards.

So why is this a problem? Will we consume all resources and space? Will it cause a quicker spread of disease? It’s interesting to think of our impact on the world by the numbers. Relatively speaking, 9 billion is not that much compared to some species. 9 billion is nothing to the insect population or the fish population. We simply have an incredible impact on the world per individual.

More people can cause more environmental problems. More people require more non-renewable resources like gas and coal which will eventually run out completely. Even non-renewable resources like water would be affected; there would be less clean water to go around. We could literally run out of space to live. The population densities of countries like India and Japan are already absurd; now imagine that density everywhere in the world. Disease would easily run rampant and the comfort of living would decrease.

But on the contrary, some argue that population growth can boost economic performance. So at the end of the day what do we do about it? Do we attempt to provide methods of contraception to those in third world countries since that is where most of the world’s population growth occurs? Perhaps we can employ something similar to China’s one child policy. Or do we just leave it alone and let Earth take over? I heard someone say the other day that the Ebola outbreak is the world’s way of controlling the population. Frankly, I think this is a bit outlandish and premature, but it’s still an interesting thought. Do we just leave the population the way it is because it’s good for the world?

In order to make a rational decision, it is crucial to be aware of the circumstances. Knowing how the world’s population is changing brings us closer to finding a solution. Why else would we have it up on the walls?

River Reflection #1

On Tuesday, October 7^th I decided to make my first river reflection trip. I pulled into an area with an open field and a park, walked towards the river and found this little opening overlooking the water. I plopped down in the grass and sat there, waiting intently for something magical to happen which would inspire me to write an amazing blog.

Well a few minutes of silence passed, and no fascinating epiphany reached me. No incredible wild animal gained my attention, no stunning double rainbow graced my view. A few bikers made their way down a trail across the river and some cars flew by along a bridge, but nothing special. Then I realized, maybe I was trying too hard? It’s supposed to be a reflection, not a story I’ll tell my grandkids one day.

So instead, I leaned back, relaxed and tried to soak it all in. Out of nowhere, music began to play. Deep, southern folk. I hadn’t realized it, but the Woodshed was across the river down a little way and a live band had just began to play. The music was just right. It was the type of folk music that played in the video biography of Mark Twain. I closed my eyes for a moment, then gazed out on the water and imagined myself on the bank of the Mississippi.  

It sounds cheesy and oddly convenient for this type of assignment, but something has always intrigued me about bodies of water, including rivers. I imagined the Mississippi River 200 years ago, carving a path through the country side and eventually meeting the mighty Missouri River in St. Louis, where I was born. I thought about what St. Louis was like back then. Then I remembered when my family and I visited a museum which explored the impact of the rivers on the city and I thought about how the Trinity affects those in our area.

The scene also reminded me of the Ohio River, a divider between Ohio and Kentucky. During the 10 years that we lived in Cincinnati, my family and I would frequently travel to Louisville where most of my father’s side lives. Both areas were no more than half an hour away from the river, respectively. The murky water of the Trinity reminded me of looking out at similar waters from the porch of a restaurant named King Fish, located along the river in Kentucky. I swear I could taste their delicious hushpuppies. I remember my grandfather spinning the tale of how the Ohio River completely froze over in the early 1900’s and how my great-great-grandmother walked all the way across it from Kentucky to Ohio.

I ended up sitting there in the shade for close to half an hour, just staring out at the water and letting my mind wander. There’s something calming about rivers even if there are apartment buildings and restaurants and parks lining its banks. And I reflected on how I’ve been close to a major river almost everywhere I’ve lived and the stories I can tell because of them.

This afternoon was a perfect chance for me to unwind and reflect on a jam-packed, stressful, sleep-deprived but fun last couple of weeks. It brought back fond memories, some bringing a smile to my face and others inducing a longing sense of nostalgia. I’m going to try and make river reflections or just any sort of outdoor self-reflection more of a regular thing. After all, this view isn’t half bad.  

There is Power in Positivity

There are many unfortunate things in this world. From ISIS to Monday mornings, from Ebola to stubbing your toe. And sometimes it can be a challenge to stay on the positive side. It could take one bad grade or one nagging headache to send your day spiraling down. Maybe you’re stressing over deadlines you have to make this week or crucial exams looming on the horizon. It’s really easy to let yourself get down. But I’ve learned it’s all about perspective.

Leave it to Organic Chemistry to make me have a sudden realization about life. This class is probably the bane of my existence thus far this semester. Never have I struggled so much in a class and worried so much about the eventual outcome. Knowing that plenty of other people are struggling like you can be somewhat comforting, but not a whole lot. Most pre-med kids set the bar so high for themselves that it can be a tough pill to swallow when a 50% in the class is not that bad of a score.

There was about a 2 week stretch where I absolutely dreaded everything that had to do with O-Chem. From constantly living in fear of a pop quiz in lecture to the 4-hour lab every week. You can ask several people close to me how much I hated Tuesdays. Every Tuesday I have the once a week 8 a.m. lab-lecture and my actual lab later on that afternoon on top of other classes, and for a while I was not a very happy camper about this. While waiting to go into lab I was a broken record player, repeating “I really don’t want to be here right now.” That combined with my less than desirable scores on our quizzes really put me in a funk.

Then one day before lab, a friend of mine replied to my whining with a smile, “You should really try to be more positive! It makes lab so much better.” At first I just shook it off; that’s easy to say but c’mon, this stuff is miserable. But she had a smile on her face the whole time during lab, she was joking around, and she still got a great score. I got to thinking. Maybe I should try it out?

So the following week I showed up to lab with a positive attitude, feeding off the energy of my friend. I tried to be focused, but at the same time stress-free and not grouchy. I kid you not, that was the best lab of the year. Staying positive and happy really made the time go faster and the experience more enjoyable. I guess that’s when it sort of clicked. Why be so negative when I have so much to be happy about?

I am so unbelievably blessed to find myself in the position that I’m in. I have been graced with an upper level education from a highly renowned institution, a beautiful place to live, and incredible people to surround myself with. I have a wonderful family and group of friends whom I love and I believe that I have found a career path that I am passionate about. Clothes on my back, food on my plate, a roof over my head; how could I possibly be upset?

Recently I have been going about life with a more positive outlook and it really has worked. It’s not a fake happiness where I try to act happy for the sake of appearance. I am legitimately enjoying some of the smaller things in life like beautiful weather and sharing laughs with my friends.

Not only does having a good attitude affect your mood, it affects those around you. A friend of mine has recently told me that he’s is going to try to be more positive as well. It’s contagious. A small bump in the road like a less than desirable grade or a long lab isn’t going to affect me as much anymore. Of course I’m still going to study and work my tail off in school, but at the end of the day, I will not let the little things get me down. 

Water is Neat

Water.

I’ve probably heard this word more this semester than I have the rest of my entire life combined. Alright, that may be an exaggeration but that’s honestly what it feels like. TCU must be pretty dedicated to this whole “Academy of Tomorrow” thing because I can’t seem to get away from it. From lectures to classrooms to murals on the wall, there’s always something to be said, seen, or 

learned about water.

And I’m okay with that.

My eyes have been opened to a crucial but “invisible” issue, and that wouldn’t be the case if not for TCU. During this semester in Lit Civ 2, Ecology and even Organic Chemistry, one of the main focuses has been water. Not just that it’s kind of a big deal, I mean like all about it. Water’s chemical make up, how it reacts with other compounds, what lives in it, what we’ve done to it over the years, what it represents in literature, how we affect it, how it affects us, and why all this is important.

The quality of human life is directly proportional to amount of available fresh water per person. This is scary to think about now after knowing how many people don’t have available fresh water. And it also makes me reevaluate the way I use this valuable luxury. Hearing the stunning facts about the amount of water we use every day just to flush our toilets and the water we lose from pipes in the earth has made me a lot more conscious. I find myself thinking about how fortunate I am whenever I fill up my water bottle, and how this way of life may not be the same in the coming years.

Another crucial part of my learning experience has been understanding the complex ecosystems within bodies of water. This portion of my studies has made me realize that we humans are not the only ones affected by water quality and availability. Fish are dying because of the effects of acid rain caused by our power plants. The quality of lakes and the stability of their subsequent ecosystems are suffering as a result of runoff by humans. Organisms at all levels, from phytoplankton to salmon to bald eagles, have been affected one way or another by human interaction with water. It truly opens your eyes to the vastness of this issue.  

On a more positive note, not only have I learned about water in a classroom setting, I’ve been able to experience it as well. Kayaking down the Trinity River was one of the best class experiences I’ve had at TCU. Not only was that my first time kayaking/canoeing/anything of that nature, it was also my first time closely interacting with the Trinity. At times the river was peaceful and enjoyable. At other points, it was rather disgusting and lived up to its filthy reputation.

Regardless, I enjoyed the experience greatly even if I was soaked and exhausted when we finally reached our stopping point. I began to realize the power of water and paradoxically, its vulnerability. It took a bit of skill and might to navigate the waters, and you could easily find yourself outside of your boat if you made a wrong move. But water has no power against human pollution and trash. Filth doesn’t just go away; thus, we have the Trinity River Trash Bash. It is too easy for us to trash the waters, but we can also clean it up.

Through only 6 weeks of school I am already becoming more conscious about the power of water and the way I use it and also aware of the crisis at hand. It makes me wonder: what am I going to do about it? 

First Meeting with David

When I first received an email from David Corredor, I was a little worried. In extremely broken English he stated that he was my conversation partner from Colombia and asked when we could have our first meeting. We emailed back and forth to set up a time and his emails were still difficult to interpret. Of course he’s in the Intensive English Program so obviously his English isn’t going to be perfect, but I remember wondering what would happen if the language barrier was so significant that we couldn’t even carry a conversation? How could we learn about each other if the whole time we’re just trying to figure out what the other is saying?

Needless to say, I was anxious the day of our meeting, not having any idea of David’s ability to speak English or even his age. I reviewed the conversation topics and tips several times in preparation as if I was studying for a test; I was just as nervous too. I walked to the BLUU where we planned to meet, not having any idea what to expect. Then a guy my age walks up to me, introduces himself as David, and the next thing you know it’s been an hour and a half of conversation as if we had already known each other.

David was very easy to understand and his English speaking was impressive; even more so when I found out he literally didn’t know a word of our language before he moved here this past July. I didn’t even have to worry about the conversation tips or topics because he already knew how to carry a conversation in English. He told me he only struggled with idioms and the pronunciation of some words, one of which ended up being a pretty funny mix up. We were talking about how we both wanted to go to California and go to the beach, and then he stopped and asked me why some people give him weird looks when he says the word “beach.”  The thing was his “ea” sound in beach sounded more like an “i” sound, so you can imagine why he may have received some weird looks. I explained the mix up and we had a good laugh about it.

One thing that got me thinking was when David told me that his uncle, who he lives with in Fort Worth, made it a rule that he cannot talk to his parents who live in Colombia for the next two months. It’s one thing to move away from your family to a completely new country, but it’s another to not have any communication with them on top of that. His uncle made the rule because David’s parents only speak Spanish. So when David switches back and forth between the two languages, words get jumbled in his head which makes it harder to learn. David is focusing on mastering English first so he can then go back to speaking Spanish and eventually be bilingual. This just made me realize that I may be taking my family for granted. My house is a 40 minute drive from TCU, so I see my family fairly often compared to most students here and keep consistent communication with them. David, however, is thousands of miles away from his family and won’t be going back to see them. Talk about being home sick. This just made me even more grateful for being able to see my family, and allowed me to take a glimpse into a completely opposite situation.

David is very positive about his life in America and I admire him for that. I really do look forward to meeting with him again because he exceeded my expectations by far. Now I feel a little goofy for being so nervous and unsure of our meeting. Just because he’s from a different country doesn’t mean he won’t be a person I enjoy talking to. I feel like I have already made a new friend.