Meredith's Memories

This unique Halloween class was an absolute delight as we embarked on a campus-wide scavenger hunt adorned with thought-provoking quotes from none other than Henry David Thoreau. I absolutely loved this group’s creativity in allowing us to venture outdoors through the engaging activity of a scavenger hunt. In doing so, we forged connections with various classmates, gaining a deeper understanding of each other. Furthermore, due to the arrangement of the classroom, getting to know the individuals not seated in close proximity can be rather challenging. As mentioned before, I am a social individual who loves connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. In doing so, I hope to uncover common interests while broadening my perspective as an ethical thinker and global citizen. Traversing through campus in an attempt to piece together the Thoreau quote leading to the mystery building proved to be a bit challenging. One clue in particular stumped us: “as the nation grows, s...

I cannot believe how quickly five weeks have flown by at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge! Ever since reading the course description, I jumped at the opportunity to volunteer outdoors and make a positive, tangible impact on the environment. With a passion for volunteerism and community service, I was absolutely hooked. It is such an incredibly rare opportunity to enroll in a course where the learning and exploration is performed beyond the confines of a traditional classroom. Our days at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge weren’t without challenges, but that’s part of life! Our last day, in particular, was marked by a torrential downpour. Rain or shine, we pressed on as we possessed an unwavering commitment to our task. I thoroughly enjoyed using pliers to cut through bamboo and other brush, transforming the landscape. It was astonishing to see how much we cleared—so much so that I could no longer see the road! Time The time absolutely flew by as we joyfully talked, laughed...

Just like that, we were already back at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge for Week 2! This time around, I was feeling much more confident as I knew exactly what I was doing and what was expected of me--I had developed a rhythm the previous week consisting of collecting the brush, disposing it in the wood chipper, and repeating the cycle again and again. Thus, I felt extremely prepared and ready to take on another day. I also was greatly looking forward to returning to the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge to see how the landscape had changed in the past week and if our progress was still intact. Fortunately, the area mirrored how we left it, and the brush remained cleared. So, I was incredibly jazzed up for another day of meaningful work and expanding on our already tremendous progress! However, our second day at the Nature Reserve showed that adaptability is critical as not everything always goes according to the plan! Overcoming challenges and pivoting when adversity arises i...

Mary Oliver’s poem “Three Things to Remember” immediately caught my attention, and I absolutely loved it. Although concise, she urges the reader to explore the concept of breaking rules and transcending limitations. She first mentions the concept of dancing and that it is an art through which you can embrace freedom. When dancing, you have all the freedom in the world to express yourself and break the rules. Dance inspires joy and liberation from constraints while allowing the body to move fluidly without any societal or self-imposed restrictions. Growing up dancing for over ten years, the dance floor was my escape. Creativity is boundless, and self-expression is pivotal. Additionally, Mary Oliver embraces the notion of expanding boundaries, highlighting that when breaking the rules, you are not necessarily defying them, but rather extending them and expanding their structure. I absolutely loved this point and believe that this notion should pervade society today. We live in a constant...

I thoroughly enjoyed Mary Oliver’s reflective poem, “I Happened to be Standing”. Throughout the piece, she ponders the nature of prayers and where they go or what the achieve. She questions whether animals, plants, or even inanimate objects have their own ways of prayer or connecting to something greater in this world. I too have contemplated this sentiment and wondered just what is out there in the universe. Are plants able to communicate with each other and share interpersonal interactions? These unanswerable questions remain present in my mind and lead me to ask countless other existential questions. Mary Oliver acknowledges the fact that oftentimes, humans go through this world preoccupied with trivial thoughts or concerns and miss the unparalleled beauty of living in the present moment, surrounded by all living organisms. She expresses her dissatisfaction with being consumed by frivolous thoughts as follows: “I know I can walk through the world, along the shore or under the trees,...

Mary Oliver’s insightful poem “I Go Down to the Shore” is a brief yet powerful piece contemplating one’s connection to the natural world. In the poem, Mary Oliver describes going down to the shore every morning like clockwork to watch the waves roll in and out. Upon reading this, I immediately connected with the idea of nature being a sense of solace or renewal. For me, whether I am having a bad day or just need a break from everything around me, I will take a long walk outside to clear my head. Back home in St. Louis, I have a specific path through my neighborhood that I would take whenever I needed some air. Now, I could probably do it with my eyes closed. My favorite stop on the walk would be admiring the colossal white oak tree (quercus alba) down the street. To this day, it is the biggest tree I have ever seen, and it has the deepest history (living for over 100 years). It will never fail to amaze me how a tree of that size, towering over everyone and everything, continuous to sur...

This past year has been filled with a myriad of new experiences for which I am incredibly grateful. I entered 2023 with an attitude of openness and inviting diverse experiences into my life. I had the absolute pleasure of studying abroad in Madrid from January to the end of May this past spring. This meant completely immersing myself in the Spanish culture--whether it be sharing tapas with a Spanish native, giving a presentation entirely in Spanish, or memorizing the Spanish metro system, Spain became my home away from home, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to have lived there for five months. I already miss it terribly and am hopeful to return one day. Departing Madrid, I flew straight to Denver, Colorado where I was to spend the next 2.5 months in an internship. After getting over the initial jetlag, my passion for adventure and exploration was reignited, and I became extremely excited for the summer ahead in a brand-new city. Furthermore, a new city meant new peop...