Reflection: Weeks 13-14 combined with Reflection: Overall Course

These past weeks have flown by and this class has continued keeping us busy.  We were still able to cover a wide range of topics and continued expanding our knowledge of our surrounding environment.


Our final weeks started off with a tour of the Goodwill organization here in Duluth.  It was very intriguing to go behind the scenes and see how things are played out.  Goodwill provides a beginning for those who are unable to complete daily tasks as we do with ease.  They offer them a career in hopes that they will move forward and be able to find successful jobs elsewhere.  It was good to see a larger organization like this to have the patience and heart to work for others.


Our Goodwill tour didn't end just there...we met with our new blogs groups and were set up with a challenge.  We had to find an outfit, wedding gift, and something we could not live without for a destination wedding that we were attending.  Our destination- Hawaii!  Outfit, a lovely Hawaiian shirt along with some puka shells.  Gift, a unforgettable wine and candle basket.  Thing we couldn't live without- sunscreen!  It was fun to see what we could get for bang for a buck.


We also finished our final eco-chic lifestyle change.  I'm glad I got to hear about the changes the other members of our class accomplished.  Throughout, everyone seemed to be very successful.  We finished with one last final online assignment.  Everyone was to create an activity for other blog followers to complete.  It was a fun finishing touch and a good reflection of what we know.


Our big finale was at class time- milk and cookies- and show & tell!  Similar to what we had to put together, we all created junk projects that we created on our own time.  I'm still shocked at what we can find for so little- I really should start doing this more often.  Everyone had some amazing ideas and I may even have to steal some of those ideas for future gifts!


Overall, I don't think this course could have been any more jam packed with so much to do and so much to remember...and I don't think I have ever learned so much from any of my other classes.  With all these things to cover, we took the time to have each in the spotlight, focusing on a specific topic each week.  For only meeting one day a week, I was impressed how much our knowledge (through assignments & other activities) was expanded!  This course definitely left an imprint in my memory and the lessons learned will not be forgotten.

Eye Opener: Online Learning Activities

• Ashley: Calculate Your Auto Emissions
• This activity was to inform us, as consumers, how much our own vehicles are emitting into the air.   The website provided was easy to follow and was simple to put in our car's information so it could calculate the results.
• 1999 Lexus RX 300 4WD
  3L, 6 cyl., Automatic (4 speed), 4WD or AWD
  
  Total City Miles: 8,400
  Total Highway Miles: 5,600
  City MPG: 19 MPG
  Highway MPG: 22 MPG
  Gallons of Fuel (City): 442.11 gallons
  Gallons of Fuel (Highway): 254.55 gallons
  Gallons of Fuel (Total): 696.66 gallons
• 
  
  NETZERO Calculations
  Total Pounds CO2: 13445.54 lbsTotal CO2 MT Emission: 6.1 MTTOTAL CO2 Credit Cost: $48.80
  
  
• Elly: Gas Guzzling Cars
• This was similar to the above activity.  The information of your personal vehicle was calculated and distributed to determine the total amount of CO2 emitted each year.
• Your vehicle produces 0.92 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year.

• Kara: Energy Dustbin
• For this activity my score was 52
• The resources to read up on were very helpful and informational.  It was a fun game tossing things back and forth into the garbage bin!

• Lauren: Work Out Plan
• This was a fun quiz.  It provided pretty general questions about how you feel you are fit.  I really like the routine she provided in her blog to incorporate in our daily routines.
• You are 50%* fit!
  Your about the average thin but not toothpick-like. Your about chubby but not fat. Your fine. Just work out a little and youll be in good shape.
  
  
• Katie: Obesity & Your Everyday Life
• BMI: 20...which falls under the normal weight group
• Currently I am meeting my daily calorie intake.  However, not so much with the each of the food groups.  Always being on the go it's difficult to consume the adequate amount of fresh vegetables. I don't eat junk & when I need to buy my food I make sure that's it's a healthier choice, with fresh veggies, and definitely not fast food.
• I found out I am consistently burning activities.  It's convenient because of teaching fitness and dance classes, I'm always "forced" into working out and staying active.  Not complaining though!

• Danielle: Waste to Energy Crossword Puzzle
• This was trickier than I thought!  There were definitely a few terms that I did not know.  It was easier, maybe being from duluth helped, to know some of the facilities around the community.  The resources provided were definitely needed to complete the crossword.

Advocacy Project:

Hey fellow bloggers!  I'm looking forward for you guys to try out today's challenge!  We have been talking about the amount of physical activity in adults- we should be getting a solid 30 minutes of moderate exercise for at least 3 times a week.  


So here's your challenge: How Fit Are You?  What better way to measure your own fitness level than by going out and doing it!  This shouldn't take too long, but make sure you do schedule some time to jump around at home or head to a gym near by.  The quiz at the end will ask questions that also pertain to your daily life in order to help you get 'the big picture.' Now grab a friend, roommate, or go ahead and try the following 5 tasks by yourself! 


Ready Begin:

• Push-ups Lie facedown on floor, legs straight with toes curled under (no dropped knees, sorry) and arms bent so palms are flat on the floor directly beneath shoulders. Press up, keeping body in a straight line from head to ankle. Do as many in a row as you can—no time limit—and note the number.

• Sit-ups Keep your knees bent, feet flat on the floor. Your shoulder blades should come up one third of the way to sitting upright. Do as many as you can in one minute or until you say uncle, whichever comes first! Write down the number.

• Wall sit Stand with your back against a wall, feet hip-width apart about 12 inches away from wall. With feet planted, slide down until knees form a 90-degree angle. (Pretend you're in a chair.) Hold as long as you can, and time yourself.

• Sit-and-reach Grab some masking tape and a yardstick. Place the yardstick on the floor, then take a foot-long piece of masking tape and stick it across the 15-inch mark to form a cross. Sit on the floor with legs extended in front of you on either side of the yardstick—the zero end facing you—so that bare heels touch the 15-inch tape mark. Keep feet slightly apart. Reach forward with both hands, bending at hips, and see the farthest mark your fingertips touch. Can you touch two inches past your heels? That means your reach is 17 inches. Measure your reach and make a note of the number.

• 1.5-mile dash Map out a 1.5-mile loop— or we have an excellent indoor track here at UMD or feel free to head toward the nearest Starbucks—and lace up. Your mission: Cover the distance as fast as you can by walking, jogging, running or some combo, and time yourself.

Now to finish- please visit the following link and take the short quiz: How Fit Are You?  Make sure to read your results at the end!

________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations!  I'm proud of you and want to thank you for giving these tasks a try!  I hope you feel energized and hope that you learned a little bit of what your bodies can achieve. Push yourselves and keep on exercising! :o)

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 5: Weekly Update & Final Reflection

1. I will take my dogs to Hartley Nature Center for a 30-40 minute walk/run, 3 times during the week days.  This week was a little more tricky.  I was able to get out there every day, but not for the entire 30 minutes.
2. With the semester winding down and work schedules keeping me running around town every single day, I would pack the two puppies in my car, bring them along for errands and work so I was able to stop at one of the parks on the way home.
3. I did feel rushed at times.  And the cold weather is darn freezing now!  The puppies still love every minute of freedom, but we know its time to stop when their poor little toes start bleeding from breaking through the crispy, icy snow.
4. Organization, minute by minute planning.  We all have 24 hours in a day...spend it wisely and prioritize.
5. We will definitely continue these fun outdoor adventures for the upcoming weeks.  Hopefully we'll be able to visit the new parks more often.

OVERALL REFLECTION

1. I will take my dogs to Hartley Nature Center for a 30-40 minute walk/run, 3 times during the week days.  My goal did change somewhat throughout the weeks, rather than just going to Hartley, we were able to explore some other parks around Duluth.
2. It helped to keep a schedule- go the same time on the same days each week and stick to it.  Yes, things happen and schedules change, but it wasn't too much to fit it in at another time.
3. The benefits: it made get outdoors in the cold weather!  We were able to find new parks that I normally would not go to.
4. I guess just by telling the story of the two dogs and talking about the new place we went today and the funny things that they would do brought awareness to others of what out there and available to us in Duluth.  Hopefully people will take the time to visit the parks themselves.  This might be an outreach, but again after hearing Abby & Ranger's story, people will be encouraged to check out the local shelter when & if they're looking for a new pet.
5. Of course we're going to continue this behavior.  It also kind of goes along with the bill that I looked up:  Adults needing to participate in 30-40minutes of daily moderate activity.  I need to continue to promote what I believe in.
6. Baby steps, you can always modify later, but you need to stick to it!

Advocacy Project: Letter to the Editor

December 6, 2010


President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500


Focus Area 22: Physical Activity

• Objective 22.2: Increase the proportion of adults who engage in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day 5 or more days per week or vigorous physical activity for at least 20 minutes per day 3 or more days per week.

Currently, a larger number of Americans are not getting the required daily exercise they need and obesity is on the rise.  As adults, we must learn to lead by example.  By not setting a balance, healthy lifestyle for ourselves, our children will easily follow into our footsteps.  They are susceptible to losing control of their own adult lives and become unhealthy with other diseases and health problems.  Physical inactivity causes a tremendous burden of disease and death.  Researchers commissioned by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports coined the phrase 'Sedentary Death Syndrome.'o And no wonder. In 2000, the Journal of Applied Physiology reported that approximately "250,000 deaths per year in the United States are premature due to physical inactivity."  Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for developing forms of heart and cardiovascular diseases.  These can also contribute to further risks of obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, and diabetes.  These are all forms of long-term health problems.

Researchers pointed to evidence in adults that an increase in physical activity can help reduce and address symptoms of depression and anxiety.  Being physical active is a healthy habit with many benefits.  Regular physical activity can improve health and lower risks for diseases.  We must allow people of all ages into general fitness clubs.  Or at least allow them access to clubs that are open for those who can provide there own health care, but cannot provide their own membership at other popular organizations.

Thank you for your time.  We appreciate everything you have and continue to do for this country.  We hope to continue to move forward in bringing awareness of the importance of physical activity.  If I can provide any additional information or assistance please contact me at email@gmail.com or (123) 456-789.

Sincerely, 

Jamie Somrock

Facts About Physical Inactivity

Sedentary Lifestyle: no reported activity or any physical activity or pair of activities done for less than 20 minutes or less than three times per week.

Regular and Sustained: any physical activity or pair of physical activities that are done for 30 minutes or more per session, five or more times per week, regardless of intensity.

Regular and Vigorous: any physical activity or pair of activities done for at least 20 minutes, at least three times per week, that requires rhythmic contraction of large muscle groups at 50% of functional capacity.

• 59% of the New York population reported a sedentary lifestyle
  • 58% of men
  • 60% of women
  • The nonwhite population had a 6% higher level of sedentary lifestyle
• 20% of the population meets the criteria for regular and sustained activity levels.
  • 21% of men
  • 19% of women
  • The nonwhite population had a 4% higher level of regular and sustained physical activity
• 14% of the population meets the criteria for regular and vigorous activity levels.
  • 13% of men
  • 15% of women
  • The nonwhite population had a 5% higher level of regular and vigorous physical activity

Reflection: Weeks 9-12

It's winding down now...more things have been covered and taken place: Photo Essay, Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change, THOMAS, Junking.  This one was a little more tricky for me.  I'm sad to say the law and government are not high on my list of interests...The THOMAS project allowed us to look up the history of a topic that is of interest to us and see how the government has taken part of it.  The Photo Essay was a fun one.  I included my SMART goal in it.  I took pictures of different parks around the area for the community to visit.  It was a lot of fun.  Junking should be very interesting as well...we used random items and made lists of what we could make each into.  I think our group had at least 10 new ideas for each of the 5 items.  I'm excited to see what is to come in the remaining two weeks of the semester.

Abby likes the environment so much...she turned into a squirrel.

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 4: Weekly Update

1. I will take my dogs to Hartley Nature Center for a 30-40 minute walk/run, 3 times during the week days.  It's still going very well.  It was nice having the extra days off and not having to stick to my normal schedule.  We were able to go to new places and go for a longer period of time.
2. However, the beginning of this week was a little more tricky.  The weather was terrible and difficult to get to the places because of the bad driving.  It took even longer to get to point A to point B.  I'm sure it's going to be not as fun outside as the weather gets colder and colder and colder.  The puppies can only last so long running in below zero weather and it's hard to see them when it's snowing out (they blend in pretty well).
3. My feeling were still fun and enjoyable.  Just got to continue to get up and get out there...not allow myself to get lazy and use the weather as an excuse.  
4. We learned about a few new parks to visit around Duluth this week.   Some are nicer than others...
5. Things should stay the same this upcoming week.  If we can't continue to go to the new places we found we will definitely continue going to Hartley, the park that's close by and convenient to get to.

Eye Opener: Photo Essay

ABBY & RANGER'S ADVENTURES

Abby & Ranger riding in the car.  They know it's time for their walk.  They're so excited, they cannot wait to get to the park!

We're here!  They're waiting in the car so patiently...
(Ranger is in the red collar and Abby is in the pink collar)

And they're off!  Who's going to make it down the trail first?!  

Here's our first stop- Chester Bowl. This is one of the newer spots that we've visited.

Our second stop- Bagley Nature Area.  This is one of Abby's favorites and Ranger's first time visiting.  They love running up the huge hills and steps to race to the lookout.

Here's our third favorite spot- Hawks Ridge.  When I was training for my marathons I would take Abby here.   They have the road blocked off at a certain spot, so than she's able to run off leash.  Here they are at the memorial, looking out across the city of Duluth.

Last but not least- Hartley Nature Center.  This is the one we visit almost daily.  It's close to home and have great trails!  Soon we'll be able to start our cross country ski adventures.  Abby and Ranger are waiting patiently...got to make sure they know who's in charge!

They're completely wiped out.  Back to the car...Abby is still smiling!  Ranger looks like he could tip over and sleep anytime now.

Back home- safe and warm.  They're second favorite thing...belly rubs!  Can you guess which one is which?

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 3: Weekly Update

1. I will take my dogs to Hartley Nature Center for a 30-40 minute walk/run, 3 times during the week days.  Things went much better this week.  I really stuck to the schedule and along with having the extra days off this week, we were able to stay out and play longer.
2. It still is tricky to fit it into my schedule, but now it has been easier getting up earlier to give myself more time to get out there.  My strategy, since I'm not a morning person, is to not press the snooze button.  There's no point in trying to fall back asleep once my alarm has already gone off...Might as well face the day on my first chance.
3. Once I get up and going the cold fresh air is refreshing!  I'm awake and I'm alive...Seeing the two puppies literally frolicking through the trails is so fun.  When I'm outside I catch myself continually smiling and all I do is laugh at how joyful those two are together.  It's nice to take the time to not worry about all the other stressors waiting for me.
4. Next week I want to continue going strong.  Maybe throw in an extra afternoon walk...or Abby really enjoys helping shovel snow!  She chases it and jumps like a kangaroo every time i throw the snow off to the side.  Get a little extra outdoor activity.  (I'm planning on getting one of those ergonomic shovels with all these snow storms a'comin.) 

Advocacy Project: Issue Overview

Introduction:

• Focus Area 22: Physical Activity
• Objective 22.2: Increase the proportion of adults who engage in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day 5 or more days per week or vigorous physical activity for at least 20 minutes per day 3 or more days per week. 
• Goal: Improve health, fitness, and quality of life through daily physical activity.
• Who is affected by the issue?
• Currently, a large number of American are not getting the required daily exercise they need and obesity is on the rise.  I feel that not abiding by this rule/guideline will affect our children and generations to come.  As adults, we must learn to lead by example.  By not setting a balanced, healthy lifestyle for ourselves our children will easily follow into our footsteps.  They are susceptible to losing control of their own adult lives and become unhealthy with other diseases and health problems.
• What are the consequences of the issue?
• Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for developing forms of heart and cardiovascular diseases.  These can also contribute to further risks of obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, and diabetes.  These are all forms or long term health problems.
• What is the economic impact of the issue?
• Physical inactivity causes a tremendous burden of disease and death.  Researchers commissioned by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports coined the phrase 'Sedentary Death Syndrome.'o And no wonder. In 2000, the Journal of Applied Physiology reported that approximately "250,000 deaths per year in the United States are premature due to physical inactivity."
• What is the social impact of the issue?
• Researchers pointed to evidence in adults that an increase in physical activity can help reduce and address symptoms of depression and anxiety.  "It seems that there is a psychological and physiological connection that help explain the beneficial effects of exercise on mental health," Kantomaa.
• What are the barriers?
• Studies investigating factors that may explain the high prevalence of leisure-time physical inactivity in the general population have indicated perceived barriers play a powerful role in keeping people from being or becoming physically active.  Analysis identified lack of motivation followed by lack of time as the only statistically significant (p<.01) predictors of membership in the physically inactive or active groups. That is, physically inactive subjects reported inadequate motivation and time as the reasons for undermining their ability to make regular physical activity a priority. Findings suggest that interventions for promoting increased leisure-time physical activity among the population group studied focus on creating strategies designed to help overcome the perceived intrapersonal constraints of lack of motivation and time.
• What are the resources?
• Being physical active is a healthy habit with many benefits.  Regular physical activity can improve health and lower risks for diseases.  Talk with a doctor or exercise specialist about starting an exercise program.  Have them help assess where you're starting out and where you should begin.  Set a goal that is realistic and achievable for your own personal situation and experience.
• What is the history of the issue?
• Prior to 1940 clubs focused on social and business networking.  Most memberships were for men and were not fitness focused.  In the mid 1940s, first appearing on the west coast, body building and weights began to appear at $60 per year.  1950's clubs became more prevalent; introduction of health club chains appeared in some larger cities.  Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA) was a popular one, who was more family-oriented.  1960s there was a rapid growth of health club chains.  They introduced the racquet club, which was still mainly run by men, and focused on weight training.  1970s there was emerging research geared towards fitness.  There was the introduction of multipurpose fitness clubs- new resistance training, aerobics, treadmills...People were now exercising for health!  The modern era (1980-2000), fitness was now recognized as an industry and served over 12 million people.  Personal training and group fitness came about.  The industry moved to a corporate model from a mom/pop model of doing business.
• Allies & opponents:
• Fitness clubs and health advocates will always work to promote physical activity in everyones' lives.  Injured people, low-income households may be opposed to physical activity since it is not readily available to them- It may be hard to incorporate into their daily lives due to cost.
• Recommendation:
• To allow people of all ages into certain fitness clubs.  Clubs that are open for those who can provide there own health care, but cannot provide their own membership at other popular organizations.

Share & Voice: ECO Shop

Here you go ladies!  American Eagle Outfitters, one of my personal favorite clothing stores, has their own line of ECO-friendly clothes.  ECO-shirt started out as an ideas to do something different.  They took the most popular style of clothes and made them better by using certified organic and recycled materials.  By using these organic fibers, they help to support organic farmers, which uses non-petroleum based fertilizers and natural methods of pest and weed control.  These new methods are much more healthy for our planet and for us, who wear the clothes.  They use  water based inks that breathe better than the normal silk screen inks.  "ECO-Shirt...We believe the small choices that we make each day are the best ones that really matter, for each other and for this planet that we all share."

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 2: Weekly Update

So I had to change up my SMART goal a little bit...

1. I will take my dogs to Hartley Nature Center for a 30-40 minute walk/run, 3 times during the week days.  It's been going good...tricky to work into my hectic school schedule.
2. During the week there always seems to be too much going on & I become overwhelmed.  I wanted to take time for myself & to exercise my two puppies, especially because they're not as active as they need to be during the week (they're german short hairs- made to run and hunt).  My strategies have been to get up earlier and when I need a break from my overload of projects, to just get some fresh air and walk down to Hartley just down the block.
3. It's a challenge to just make myself get up and outside.  That's why I chose this goal, because like my previous goal...once i'm out there & finish the walk...I feel like I have achieved something.  I'm more relaxed and can get my head focused again.
4. I learned about patience and not to wait to do something.  I learned that I can yell very, very loud as well (darn dogs kept running away from me)!
5. My plans for next week are to keep on going.  The three days during the week has been a good number, not too much & not too little.  The puppies love the snow & I still enjoy the outdoors w/o it being below zero.

Advocacy Project: Healthy People/THOMAS

1. Focus Area 22:  Physical Activity

• Goal: Improve health, fitness, and quality of life through daily physical activity.

• Objective 22.2: Increase the proportion of adults who engage in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day 5 or more days per week or vigorous physical activity for at least 20 minutes per day 3 or more days per week.

• Target of Objective: 32% of adults aged 18years and older engaged in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day or physical activity for at least 20 minutes per day in 1997

• Based on Progress Quotient Chart: 6% moved towards target

2. Objectives Continued:

• In 2001, the language of objective 22.2 was changed after November 2000 publication to include adults who met the definition for vigorous physical activity.

• Target revised from 30 because of baseline revision after November 2000 publication

• Baseline revised from 15 after November 2000 publication

• Target Method: Better than the best

3. H.RES.503: Recognizing National Physical Education & Sport Week, and for other purposes

• Sponsor: Rep Altmire, Jason [PA-4] (introduced 6/4/2009)

• Related Bills: H.RES.1373, S.RES.133, S.RES.515

• Latest Major Action: 6/9/2009 Passed/Agreed to in House.  Status: On motion to suspend the ruled and agree to the resolution. Agreed to by voice vote.

Eco-chic Lifestyle Change Week 1: My SMART Goal

My smart goal:
I want to run 1-2 miles (10-20 minutes), three times a week (M, W, F) before class at the gym or around my neighborhood.


I will be able to get outdoors more often and experience the fresh air.  It will allow my two dogs to run free alongside of me.  They are little speed demons and are just begging to get out there and run wild.  Running is a challenge for me.  It's a mental game and I usually have to force myself to do it.  However, when I finish my run, I feel like I have accomplished something.  It may be a small accomplishment, but it still feels good.  I enjoy participating in marathons and other running events, but never really seem to train that much.  By starting this small goal now, it  will only make those races easier and probably more fun, rather than dying afterwards.  I completed the Ragnar Relay Race this summer...Group of 12 of us, 193 miles, from Winona to Minneapolis...I have not run once since that race, haha.  There's no better time than now to get started up again.

Advocacy Project: My Political Representatives

Here is a list of my current political representatives:
(with current elections still in process, some may not be current)

• President:  
• Barack Obama...Democrat
• Congressperson: 
• Al Franken...Democrat
• Amy Klobuchar...Democrat
• Governor:
• Tim Pawlenty...Republican
• State Legislators:
• Mary Murphy...Democrat
• Thomas Bakk...Democrat
• County Board:
• Chris Dahlberg
• Mayor:
• Don Ness...Democrat

Reflection: Weeks 5-8

These have been a very busy past few weeks in our Environmental Health class.  Every week we were introduced to a new topic and watched videos focusing on each of them.  There were a couple main topics that stuck with me and instigated some new changes in my life.   

The video "Fresh" was the main one.  How these industrial and factory farms are taking over our nation is scary, plain and simple.  Watching how they treat the animals, what we feed them, and what we end up consuming have long term affects that so many of us are unaware of.  I joked with Dr.V how I no longer want to eat anything because we truly don't know what we're buying at grocery stores.  It was inspirational to see throughout the video, the farmers that were out there changing how they operate.  They want to provide better quality (not quantity) for us.  These local farmers are aware of the troubles we will encounter over time.  Now I know what to look for and how to incorporate healthier food choices in my daily life.  This video showed the benefits of supporting local farms around the country.

The second video, "Tapped," was an exciting one as well.  It provided information of plastic water bottles and how companies get the water we purchase.  It never crossed my mind that by buying bottled water, we are purchasing a product we could have had for free.  It seems so simple, but I guess I never thought twice about HOW these companies got the water...from the same place we do!  Out of the faucet!  The video mentioned how we are continuously looking for "easy access" to products...but we are getting it at the cost of our environment.  Rivers, lakes, oceans, are slowly being destroyed at our expense.  The little things are what matter and can make a difference!  Recycle and clean up after ourselves...simple.

Overall, this course has provided some very powerful information.  I just wish that others outside of this classroom, outside of this city, every where could see and learn what we have these past few weeks.  Knowledge is power.   Think of the things that could take place! :o)

Share and Voice: Plastic Bottles

Here's a fun story that I heard on the today show awhile back.  It really  correlates with the video "Tapped" that we watched on Monday.


Her name is Laura Kutner.  She's 25 years old and has been working with the Peace Corp.  Recently, she traveled to Guatemala to work in the village of Granados.  The school here in this village has slowly been crumbling...so the idea was to rebuild, but the supplies and the cost were too much and out of the question.  The idea sparked and the project "Message In A Bottle," came about.  The children were to gather plastic bottle and garbage from around the streets in order to use as the foundation of the school.  Each child stuffed 20 plastic bottles full of garbage.  There are a total of 6,000 plastic bottles that completes the foundation of the school.  The children had new motivation to clean up their streets and alleys.  The students share pride over their new school and a new-gound excitement about picking up garbage.  "You don't need alot of money, and the best thing is that they worked together."


Check out the website.  It's pretty inspirational.  This girl is not much older than us and proves we are capable of many things!  New junking project, maybe?