I want to introduce a new series on here, where I do a bit of a recap on life lately. I realize that other than the “My Week in Photos” post, I don’t do too many personal posts on here, so I will periodically do these recap on the biggests things happening in my life. This summer was a bit of a whirlwind and a real eye opener, but in a good way. I learned a lot from my experiences this summer.
- I started working in a research lab on campus at the beginning of the summer. The lab studies the behaviors of animals; such as amphibians and birds, and aims to understand the mechanisms behind their behaviors. It was great working there, and I have learned a lot. I am lucky enough to have joined during the summer. It gave me the time I needed to learn about the lab and see it was a good fit for me before the semester started.
- For a week in June, I went to Nicaragua and volunteered on several community projects. It was my third time going a brigade, and second time going to Nicaragua. It was definitely one of the highlights of my summer, and my college experience, and I am extremely thankful to be a part of it. This brigade reminded me of the importance of community, and how powerful working together can be.
- I took a summer course on Botany. The course mostly consisted of collecting and preserving various tree and plant samples. I have always loved plants (if my blog title didn’t give it away), but this class really made me understand how they interact with their environment and each other. We studied the plants that populate New York City, so now every time I step outside I am reminded that I am surrounded by so many amazing species.
- After my course finished I took some time to relax and enjoy my summer. I caught up on some school-related tasks, worked on small repairs around the house with my family, and tried to see friends and family I had not seen in a while.
- Excitement about the solar eclipse built up over most of the summer, but by the time it came I was pretty unprepared. I did not want to pay crazy prices for glasses I might lose, and I never got around to making one of those viewers from a cereal box. Luckily, during the eclipse I was at a doctor’s appointment, and the physician was pretty obsessed with the event. He “happened” to have window tint lying around, and decided to make lenses for people to see the eclipse. He then kindly shared his lenses with any one who passed by to give them the opportunity to glance at the phenomenon. Now I have an idea of what to do for the 2024 eclipse, when New York will be much closer to the path of totality!
Help for Hurricane Harvey
I am in no way affiliated with any of the following.
By now you have probably heard about how Hurricane Harvey has devasted the Houston area. Below are some links to support Houston, other parts of Southeast Texas, and Louisiana and those affected by the Hurricane.
Local Organizations
JJ Watt’s Houston Relief Fund is collecting donations to support the victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Houston mayor Sylvester Turner set up The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to support his community.
Houston Food Bank and Feeding Texas, a state network of food banks, are asking for donations.
The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals set up an emergency response hotline (713-861-3010) and is accepting donations.
The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center needs donors to help treat severe injuries.
The Texas Diaper Bank sends out relief kits for babies, young children, and the elderly with items not typically available from diseaster relief agencies.
Feeding Texas is a state network of food banks that is accepting donations.
National Organizations
You can volunteer with the Red Cross, donate online, or text “HARVEY” to 90999 to donate $10. (Volunteers for Hurricane Irma relief which will affect Florida and the Caribbean are being accepted as well.).
Airbnb is waiving their service fees for those affected by the hurricane. You can create a listing via their website to offer your home to victims for free.
AmeriCares is asking for donations to supply medicine and emergency supplies to survivors.
You can donate to support relief via iTunes or the App Store.
Donations to the Salvation Army can be made online or by texting STORM to 51555.
*If you know of any other local or national efforts to support Harvey Relief, or relief of any of other natural diseasters currently happening around the world please feel free to share.
How was your summer? What are you looking towards the most this fall?
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