I had a great time participating in the Gourdlandia event this past Tuesday. As with some previous Rose Scholars events, I had a chance to tap into my creative side and make a nightlight out of a gourd by artfully drilling holes into it. While I had a relaxing time, the event got me to think about and appreciate artisans of all different types. Before signing up for the event, I had never thought about gourd-crafting, but I now see it is an undoubtedly unique and beautiful type of art and expression. The example pieces that Graham Ottoson had on display were amazing and it is astonishing to think about all the other possible ways people practice artisanship and share their talents and passions with others. My favorite thing about gourd-crafting the nightlight was the fact that the pieces were not only visually appealing, but also functional. After having so much fun, I am hoping to visit Gourdlandia in Ithaca with friends or family to share this wonderful experience with them.
Author Archives: jht97
Art Therapy
In the midst of a stressful time at Cornell, participating in the clay sculpting workshop at the Johnson was a nice break from school. Although I am not artistic in any respect, taking two hours out of my day to do something more creative had a very positive and therapeutic effect. The workshop itself reminded me of the gratifying times I had in art class in elementary school and allowed me to feel a bit more worry-free like I was back then. Before attending the workshop, my mind was focused on the problem set I had due later that day as well as on the upcoming prelims I had to study for and even on the other work I needed to do for the week. However, despite my not-so-positive attitude going into workshop, my mood changed as I got to get my hands dirty with the clay and make a mug. I admit that it isn’t the most aesthetic or imaginative design but as I sit and write this post, it sits on my desk reminding me of how nice it is just to do something because it is fun. Participating in the workshop served as a reminder that I need to enjoy myself more and reconnect with my inner child.
Making a Difference with CRC
This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to participate in the CRCFL (Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes) Walkathon/5K. As I learned, the CRC is a local organization that provides support to those living with or affected by cancer and this event serves as their biggest annual fundraiser.
When the Rose Scholars team arrived at Cass Park, I was amazed by how many people from different parts of the Ithaca community came out to support the cause. Although the weather was not ideal, I could tell that spirits were high as families and friends joined together to help fundraise for the CRC.
Before the start of the walkathon, an announcement was made saying that the CRC had already been able to raise about $145,000 which, although was under their goal of $165,000, was still astounding. Seeing the amount of support from the community at the walkathon and through the amount they were able to raise made me feel appreciative to be part of a cause that directly benefits many here locally. Participating in the walkathon helped me learn more about Ithaca by introducing me to a local organization that strives for such an incredible cause. I am grateful that I had a chance to be a part of this and I hope to continue to find ways to give back to the local community.
The Great Outdoors
This past Sunday, I went on a hike of Fall Creek Gorge guided by Todd Bittner. The hike served as a nice break from doing homework and studying. During the hike, I learned about the geological formation of the gorges as well as the history of the trails and Ezra’s Tunnel which I found very fascinating. In tandem with the geology and history I learned and experienced last week at the Botanic Gardens, I am becoming increasingly grateful to be surrounded by a beautiful area with such a rich past. I learned from these past two excursions that if I need a break from my academics, I can easily explore and immerse myself in nature. As Todd Bittner stated, a few minutes outdoors is scientifically proven to relieve stress and positively impact mood. He also talked about a website, ithacatrails.org, that was recently created to condense information about trails in Ithaca for public use. With Fall Creek Gorge as close as five minutes away from West Campus and an excellent resource available to find even more nearby trails, I really do not have an excuse to stay cooped up inside all day, especially if I need a break. This hike as well as other Rose Scholars events have allowed me to value the natural beauty around me at Cornell and have made me realize that I should take advantage of it while I am here.
Appreciating Nature through Engineering
Taking a tour of the Cornell Botanic Gardens was an enlightening experience. As we strolled through, Professor Davis provided interesting facts and insight that I had not known on my previous trips to the Gardens. I learned about its history and evolution through the years which was fascinating to envision. It was a reminder to appreciate the beauty of nature.
Arriving in the Botanic Gardens and learning that the plants are arranged in such a strategic manner was amazing because I never thought about how much planning, work, and money was needed to maintain the Gardens. There was definitely a lot of attention to detail which manifested through the overall lovely landscape. My favorite thing that I learned was the fact that the Nevin Welcome Center was designed and built with the intent of blending into the landscape and accenting it as opposed to having an obstructive presence. Its green-top ceiling added to this effect. I also appreciated that the Nevin Welcome Center uses solar power to heat its water. In addition, it has built-in blinds on the outside that are meant to let in sun, especially in the winter, to provide a more immersive experience for visitors inside the center. I very much enjoyed seeing how the engineering behind the Center contributed to the experience of enjoying nature at the Botanic Gardens.
Only Human
As a crime show fanatic, I have often considered the ethical and moral dilemma of serving as a defense attorney for someone who is guilty. Although I know that things are always more complex than they seem, I personally find it difficult to take these nuances into account in my perceptions of those who commit crimes. Listening to the Judge Miller’s experiences made me reflect about my personal biases.
During Judge Miller’s talk, he recounted some of his experiences during his time as a defense attorney. One anecdote that resonated with me was his explanation of his feelings as he went through the letters between his client (who had been accused of a violent crime) and his client’s mother. He had found that his client was actually an orphan who had eventually found his mother and was able to exchange heartwarming letters with her. Although this man was accused of a terrible offense, he had life experiences, emotions, and was human like the rest of us.
This made me think about the biases of the players in the criminal justice system. If judges, jurors, lawyers, and police officers rampantly allowed their biases to influence their perception of the law and those who break it (or accused of doing so), the system would lose its humanity. Although it is impossible to be unaffected by bias, I believe that we should strive to see others as more than our assumptions about them. My key takeaway from Judge Miller’s story was people are not wholly good nor bad and that we should remember not to completely judge others by the worst thing they have ever done.