This year, I have so much research to do for my Geography courses. This is my self-assessment of the classes through today and what is to come. Basically, this is going to be a lot of self-discipline to complete a lot of the assignments on my part. Papers, projects, research, field research, tests, exams, and even a potential internship in the fall. This has all of the components of a successful semester if I focus all of my energy in Beeghly library and push myself to complete all of the assignments. My breakdown is as follows:
Geography Information Systems/Science- Just finished my mid-term which took forever to complete. I have to start gathering collections of weird information that pertains to the university: locally, regionally, and globally. Right now, I have information that pertains to alumni and where they are attending grad schools and/or where they are working. I have to also interview one of our very own Public Safety officers, John Ciochetty about locations on campus that may be haunted. This would be very interesting. This class would be very marketable especially since I need to find a job for my Urban Studies work experience in the fall. This project should not be too hard and I have three other group members who are working hard on their own portions of the project. By the way, my project is a DisOrientation Map for OWU and we hope to get it done and out to the OWU community by the end of the semester and present to the administration soon.
Energy Resources- I am anticipating a struggle in this class although I am doing quite well right now in the class. I conquered the beast of a mid-term. Currently, I am still compiling sources for my behemoth paper due in three weeks. I have to redo my outline now that I have more sources. The preliminary part is almost as much of a pain as the actual writing and editing. Other than the paper, I have an exam which I will studying hardcore for and the final. All exams are twenty percent of my final grade even the final. Obviously, what I am worried about is the paper which is forty percent. I will be seeking a person out to edit the heck out of my paper so this is my classified portion of this blog.
Weather, Climate, and Climate Change- Let's see. A 15 page paper and two exams about the weather. Right now, the class is focusing on temperature and precipitation. The processes are longer than I thought. If I ever want to become a meteorologist, I will definitely have the skills and the knowledge to pursue this as a career. My paper will be about deserts and it specifically focuses on the tropical region right below and above the equatorial region. This is where some of the world's hottest and driest deserts are focused. My research will talk about weather formations in the region and why the climate seems to stay the same compared to other deserts in the world. This is my research in a short nutshell. Easier said than done. I am just hoping that the final in the class will not be like my mid-term for Energy Resources (long, mostly essays)
Economic Geography- Honestly, I have been stalling in this class. Most of the grade is from this documentary which is about Light Manufacturing on the West Side of Delaware, Ohio. No one has been authoritative about the project so in order to get the remaining information, I might have to become that hardcore guy. Walking to the West Side (about a 30-40 minute walk from my house), demanding to speak to the Public Relations person and getting the job done. Sometimes, when it gets down to the knitty-gritty, you have to dig deep into the project. I have two small tests for the class but I had Dr. Walker before so I already know what to expect from the tests. I just had to dedicate 1 or 2 entire days in the area, get the camcorder, get the interview, record the interview, maybe get some information off the record, and put in on the MAC to edit for the documentary, which is on Finals week. I got this and I will get my group involved. No more passiveness.
Contemporary American Landscapes- Assignments remaining: Revision of second paper, third paper due April 17th, and term paper about gentrification and its causes and effects in different American landscapes. This may seem simple but with all of the other writings, I cannot afford to procrastinate. All of these classes are for my Geography major to finish it out this semester. I do not want to stay another spring in Geography unless I absolutely have to. I am also trying to finish my Urban Studies major (sans the Work Experience). Therefore, I need to man up and do this for myself. I am doing research for this project and will be consulting Dr. Fusch every week so he can help guide me in the writing of this term paper. I'm focused, man!!!
Result = plenty of time to spend in Beeghly, the Science Library, and the GIS Lab with a plenty dose of field excursion in Delaware and in Columbus. Awesome.
Well, there you have it, folks. My remaining schedule for the academic year. If you want to major in Geography when you come here next fall or for people who are already here and cannot decide on a major, know this: Geography is NOT a joke!!! You will write extensively. You will do a lot of your own field work and research. You will engage in the liberal arts tradition in the fullest as a Geography major. I guarantee that this is well worth all of the writing and the research I am doing and that this opportunity to be a Geography major will help me in the future.
Wheat, out,
Hasani Wheat
Class of 2010
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Black Men of the Future in Chicago
Last Saturday, Black Men of the Future went to their annual retreat; this year it was Chicago. This experience was designed to strengthen our bond and especially for the newer members so that they will be ready when we transition at the end of the year. I will run down the schedule for you.
Friday- We meet at the House of Black Culture between 3 and 3:30 pm to load up the Hertz van. We chatted about what was our expectations, hopped in the van, and took off to our destination. The six hour drive was tiring for me. I read my Metroburbia book for my paper for a little while then I cuddled up in the back of the van and passed out. I awoke to the scenery of Indiana and listened to random conversations in the van. By the time BMF got to the Avenue Hotel around 10:30 pm, we were exhausted. We scheduled a workshop at 11:00-midnight. The workshop was a good ol' icebreaker which introduced ourselves and our expectations for the days to come. This workshop was relatively quick in comparison to the other 3 that we had (around 45 minutes). I was happy with the workshop because it segued into the morning workshop. Since the night was young, a group of us went into town. Most of us never been to Chicago so seeing the downtown, especially at night was important to us. We wanted to fully experience Chicago so staying in the hotel was not much of an option. Plus, we only had until Sunday to do whatever we needed to do. We were messing around (hence, the photos outside of the McDonald's with some of us posing with statues).
Saturday- This was the longest day ever!! My Saturday started around 6 am. I woke up, dressed, and went down to the fitness center. I did the elliptical and some chest presses for a little while and went back to my room. I showered and dressed again to prepare for the 2nd workshop. This workshop dealt with our inner selves and why we joined BMF. This workshop was meant for us to look into ourselves and to draw from other members about their experiences as members. I liked this workshop- it was serious yet it was not too serious. Sometimes, the workshops I have attended are too serious and feel like I am sitting in class. This workshop was just right. After the one and a half hour workshop was over, we headed out and enjoyed the Bulls/Pacers game at the United Center. All of the guys enjoyed this outing and we bonded well because we got out of the hotel for some guy time together. We really wanted to head over to the South Side and spend some time at the DuSable Museum of African American History. The museum had some interesting artifacts and factoids in it such as the Harold Washington exhibit, music from many different African countries, information about African kings and queens, and the huge exhibit about Black farmers, then and now. These are topics in Black History that are not as talked about and it was good to see a museum put this topics in the spotlight. I want to go back there soon. Maybe at a family excursion when I get the time and the money to head to Chicago... soon. We headed back to the hotel; however, we did hit massive traffic in downtown. In addition, we wanted to go to Chipotle's for dinner but there was no parking available. We settled to just go to the hotel and have our next workshop. This 3rd workshop was our longest- three hours long. The workshop discussed the three snake bites that could (and have) hurt our organization. This led into a discussion about prioritizing our goals for yourselves and for BMF. As the minutes went by, the conversation about how to improve BMF became more intense because it was then we all realized how important BMF is to us and how it should be to the entire OWU campus. BMF is ours and no one will take it away from us. It is up to us to promote the mission statement to the campus and to make sure that we are looking at our past and improving our future. BMF ended the night as T.G.I. Fridays a couple blocks away from the hotel as a joint venture with Sisters United, our sister organization.
Sunday- tired as all what, we had to get up around 7 am to prepare for the 4th and final workshop. The workshop started at 8 am and this was more or less a wrap-up of everything that was discussed in the three previous workshops. I loved the energy of our speaker, Robert Louis-Charles, throughout the entire workshop series. He revitalized us when we were tired and motivated us when we were arguing with one another. I have mad respect for the man and I am ever so glad to have him as BMF's workshop speaker for this retreat. Around 9 am, we packed up, got the receipt for the van, and loaded back up, and left Chicago en route to OWU.
I am so glad that I took this retreat. The retreat refocused me on my school work which I have worked very hard on since arriving on Sunday. I am so pumped to participate in the activities on campus for BMF and other similar groups in the coming events (SU, VIVA, Rafiki Wa, and the head of it all, SUBA). BMF will be a well-oiled machine for upcoming events such as Step Show, Hip-Hop Week, and the Global Outreach Show. The bond between the guys is off the charts right now and this should lead into a good transition in a couple weeks when we do our elections. All I have to say is: Fellas, we gotta ride or die... B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-M-F!!!!!!!
Riding high,
Hasani Wheat
Class of '10
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Lakota Nation Spring Break Mission Trip
Sorry I have been absent but I was busy with mid-terms and I was in South Dakota last week for my Spring Break (always a good feeling leaving school to travel). Since I have been back, I am playing catch up. I had a revision to turn in and a couple of budgets I had to work on for spring funding. Overall, last week was a rough week. I survived but I really wish that I was still in South Dakota helping out the Lakota Nation.
While I was in Mission and Rosebud, South Dakota, I had the opportunity to work and experience the culture. The Lakota Team took two days to and from the reservation to get there. On the first night out, we stayed at this camp in Wisconsin. Honestly, the camp was nicer than I thought because the camp was really housing. Despite the cold and icy conditions in Wisconsin, we had a good time in our short stay to and from the reservation. While in the camp, the group had some philosophical discussions about what we saw and what we expected. I also learned a little more about my mission team- their fears and their affectations. This was critical to the actual experience because this was what made people tick. What was their capabilities and limits on the trip and other similar questions made to mind.
What I did on the trip: I mainly worked with the relief center in construction and building. For the first two days, I worked inside of a cold, small warehouse where I sorted tools for the builders and helped put up different things. For example, I helped construct a ping-pong table. I helped construct stairs for the relief center so that we would not have to use unstable ladders for the area. On that Thursday of Spring Break, I was able to go to the actual work site and help put up siding on the house. I did a couple other odd jobs around the relief center. I was usually tired after a day of work and the cold, wintry conditions especially on that Monday did not help my cause. We worked during the day so we could rest for events later.
These events were the cultural events of Lakota members. We had speakers on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday who spoke about different topics that affect or influence the Lakota people. On Monday, there was a general talk that focused on spiritually and being an authentic Lakota member (dealing with the culture). On Tuesday, there was a talk about the toys of the Lakota and their uses. This is an interesting conversation and my team and the team from Michigan State University got to use these toys. Many were practical and I was appreciative to actually use them. On our day off on Wednesday, one of the professors from the Sinte Gleska University, talked to us about the school and the linguistics of the Lakota language. I brought his book about linguistics while I was at the Sinte Gleska bookstore. It is easy to read and it is very interesting. Overall, I loved the talks because they were informative and were told from the perspective of actual Lakota members.
To cap the Mission trip off, we were invited to the Sweat Lodge ceremony, which is one of the sacred ceremonies of the Lakota. I was so happy and blessed to have been to this ceremony. It is not everyday that you get to participate in a Sweat Lodge ceremony so I jumped at the opportunity. We went to this house near the worksite I was at earlier during that day where we meet the medicine man. We educated us about the purpose of the Sweat Lodge. Then, we headed out and prepared ourselves. Basically, it is like a sauna but it is a lot hotter, a lot more claustrophobic, and completely dark so you can focus your energy on the time you are in. I LOVED the experience. Yes, it was cold outside but once you have stepped out on the Sweat Lodge, the cold was not noticeable and I really felt cleansed in all aspects. The peace and tranquility afterwards was awesome and I was in bliss.
I have SO much more to say yet I have little to no time to say it. All of my interactions and conversations during the trip- I wished can be noted. To all of the people I worked with- THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! To the rest of the Lakota team, KEEP STRONG AND NEVER LET THIS EXPERIENCE DIE!!!!!!! I hope to attend the ceremony on the 1st of April and relive the moments of this trip. The Lakota Nation will have a place in my heart, forever.
I wish that I could see the pictures on here before they post because I wanted to make comments so I guess you the reader can comments on the pictures.
Mitakuye Oyasin (We are all related),
Hasani Wheat
Class of '10
While I was in Mission and Rosebud, South Dakota, I had the opportunity to work and experience the culture. The Lakota Team took two days to and from the reservation to get there. On the first night out, we stayed at this camp in Wisconsin. Honestly, the camp was nicer than I thought because the camp was really housing. Despite the cold and icy conditions in Wisconsin, we had a good time in our short stay to and from the reservation. While in the camp, the group had some philosophical discussions about what we saw and what we expected. I also learned a little more about my mission team- their fears and their affectations. This was critical to the actual experience because this was what made people tick. What was their capabilities and limits on the trip and other similar questions made to mind.
What I did on the trip: I mainly worked with the relief center in construction and building. For the first two days, I worked inside of a cold, small warehouse where I sorted tools for the builders and helped put up different things. For example, I helped construct a ping-pong table. I helped construct stairs for the relief center so that we would not have to use unstable ladders for the area. On that Thursday of Spring Break, I was able to go to the actual work site and help put up siding on the house. I did a couple other odd jobs around the relief center. I was usually tired after a day of work and the cold, wintry conditions especially on that Monday did not help my cause. We worked during the day so we could rest for events later.
These events were the cultural events of Lakota members. We had speakers on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday who spoke about different topics that affect or influence the Lakota people. On Monday, there was a general talk that focused on spiritually and being an authentic Lakota member (dealing with the culture). On Tuesday, there was a talk about the toys of the Lakota and their uses. This is an interesting conversation and my team and the team from Michigan State University got to use these toys. Many were practical and I was appreciative to actually use them. On our day off on Wednesday, one of the professors from the Sinte Gleska University, talked to us about the school and the linguistics of the Lakota language. I brought his book about linguistics while I was at the Sinte Gleska bookstore. It is easy to read and it is very interesting. Overall, I loved the talks because they were informative and were told from the perspective of actual Lakota members.
To cap the Mission trip off, we were invited to the Sweat Lodge ceremony, which is one of the sacred ceremonies of the Lakota. I was so happy and blessed to have been to this ceremony. It is not everyday that you get to participate in a Sweat Lodge ceremony so I jumped at the opportunity. We went to this house near the worksite I was at earlier during that day where we meet the medicine man. We educated us about the purpose of the Sweat Lodge. Then, we headed out and prepared ourselves. Basically, it is like a sauna but it is a lot hotter, a lot more claustrophobic, and completely dark so you can focus your energy on the time you are in. I LOVED the experience. Yes, it was cold outside but once you have stepped out on the Sweat Lodge, the cold was not noticeable and I really felt cleansed in all aspects. The peace and tranquility afterwards was awesome and I was in bliss.
I have SO much more to say yet I have little to no time to say it. All of my interactions and conversations during the trip- I wished can be noted. To all of the people I worked with- THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! To the rest of the Lakota team, KEEP STRONG AND NEVER LET THIS EXPERIENCE DIE!!!!!!! I hope to attend the ceremony on the 1st of April and relive the moments of this trip. The Lakota Nation will have a place in my heart, forever.
I wish that I could see the pictures on here before they post because I wanted to make comments so I guess you the reader can comments on the pictures.
Mitakuye Oyasin (We are all related),
Hasani Wheat
Class of '10
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