Last week I was lucky enough to attend the creative Flora Rose House event of ice skating. I was unaware that it was at all possible for us as students to skate at the ice rink. I have not skated in quite a while and was excited to get on the ice. It is easy to forget the feeling of not being in control while stepping on ice. When I was younger I was in figure skating classes and loved it until I fell and broke my ankle and never went back. After that my only other experience has been in Chicago’s millenium park. Therefore, skating in the rink was different than what I am used to. Overall, it is fun to be able to engage in a winter activity that many of us do not get to do on a regular basis. I will make sure to go ice skating after winter break and next year with my friends. I am happy that I got the experience as well as know that this a possible activity for winter.
Category Archives: Exploring Cornell & Beyond
Sketching on the Arts Quad
This week’s Rose event that I attended was the sketching event on the Arts Quad. I have previously taken a few drawing lessons in the past, but have not practiced in a while. At the event, we were taught a bit about two point and one point perspective and how it appears on paper. GRF Seema demonstrated a bit on paper how to draw a one and two point perspective before we attempted sketching ourselves. I thought it was interesting to hear about perspectives, since many times while walking on campus, I do not pay attention to how the buildings around me appear to my eye and what the visual effect of perspectives are. Understanding how to draw perspectives also helped me better understand the appearance and visual of the campus around me.
In addition, actually drawing out one of the buildings on the Arts Quad revealed some of the details on the building that I have not noticed before. When I was trying to look carefully at the buildings, there are many details and nuances in the building structure and appearance that usually are not noticed while walking past everyday. I think that this event was able to help me be more aware of my surroundings and be more appreciative of the beautiful architecture that is present on campus. There are many aspects of campus that many seem to take for granted, architecture being one of them. It was also a great experience as a study break and to take some time to revisit an old hobby. It was a good reminder of some drawing skills and visual analysis skills as well, which are not only important in drawing but also in other areas of study. I was glad I was able to learn more about the process of sketching architecture and the details that are present around me.
Lunch Event with Dining/Building Care Workers
Last Wednesday, I had the opportunity to attend a lunch event with Dining/Building Care Workers at Becker House where I got to learn about a lot of the members who work at all the houses on West Campus. This was a very interesting event to attend because I have definitely seen many of the workers around West Campus and in the dining halls but never before knew who they were.
This event was important in facilitating conversation between the workers and students, because it allowed students like myself to see other people that were part of the Cornell community. In addition, this event was a fun event to honor some of the workers who have dedicated many years to working at the West Campus Community. Understanding the dedicated work that the building staff have been putting in all these years was also very important for students like myself to see because many of the luxuries that we have in West Campus are due to the hard work of the staff. This event emphasized the gratitude West Campus students should have for the work of the building staff that often goes unnoticed.
This event was also helpful in increasing transparency of what the building workers’ do. In this manner, in the future, if students like myself ever need to communicate suggestions on changes that can be made to the West Campus buildings or dining services, we can do so more comfortably knowing who the staff are. Finally, because of this event, I’ve been able to recognize and talk to some of the building staff when I see them at the dining halls or around West Campus.
Organic and Wholesome Time
It’s crazy how many things Ithaca has to offer people; I don’t think I will ever run out of activities to do while I am here at Cornell! This was my first Rose Scholars event and I am very excited for future ones already. I was able to go on the trip even though I had forgotten to previously sign up because the GRFs were so nice and understanding. I have always loved farmer’s markets, and this one is definitely the best one I have ever been to.
The market had a nice location, and I especially enjoyed that it felt like it was tucked away in its own special little culture. There were pretty lights strung through the entire venue (if it’s open in the winter, I expect the market to be very pretty!!), great smells, and super welcoming stores. I bought some honey, juice, and plants. The plants are now sitting in my dorm (their names are Bean, Bon, Sai, and Leafy), while the honey and juice have long left my stomach. I will definitely go back to the farmer’s market again! It was such a nice atmosphere to be in because all of the workers felt like they were truly passionate about their work and were so friendly.
A Trip to the Farmer’s Market
I have previously never attended the Ithaca Farmer’s Market before, and was excited to attend an event to visit the farmer’s market. I was surprised to hear that it is one of the best rated farmer’s markets in the nation, bringing many visitors who are not from the local area, as well as serving many local families and communities. With close to 150 vendors from the local area, any purchases go towards supporting the community of smaller sustainable farming. In addition, the farmer’s market only uses biodegradable utensils and containers for serving food, which helps make local communities more sustainable and conscious of environmental choices.
I thought that the farmer’s market was a great experience to see more of the local community off campus and to support local communities. It also brings consumers much closer to the source of produce and to the food that they are eating, rather than the more impersonal and corporate nature of going to a grocery store. People can really see where their food comes from, specifically they can get a better idea of how food is grown and produced before it makes its way into homes to be consumed. There is also more than just produce at the farmer’s market. Many vendors sell handmade crafts and different ethnic foods and musicians play instruments near a boat dock. It is a popular destination for tourists and for local families.
After going to the Ithaca Farmer’s Market, I grew to be more appreciative of local businesses and the importance of my lifestyle choices in helping the environment. The use of biodegradable utensils and containers has made me think about a more sustainable lifestyle and how people can help the environment. I hope that I can visit again in the future to continue supporting the local community.