Outside Cultural Event- Victoria Sambunaris's Taxonomy of a Landscape

            For the past ten years, Victoria Sambunaris has been traveling our country and capturing the various landscapes of America. Her exhibit, Taxonomy of a Landscape, located in the Albin O. Kuhn Library, showcases many of the photographs that she captures while traveling our vast country. These photographs, often of mountains, hillsides, and lakes, illustrate the natural beauty of American landscape as well as human modifications to American landscape. Sambunaris's exhibit is unique because it displays, through images, the way in which geology and anthropology combine to form our environment. Both our environment and the humans that inhabit it create life as we know it today.

             The exhibit was truly enlightening. For instance, the exhibit allowed me to view areas of our country that I have never experienced in-person. I have never traveled to the Northwestern region of the United States so viewing photographs of Yellowstone National Park and snow-covered railroads in Alaska allowed me to indirectly experience life in this region. From Sambunaris's photographs, I can create vivid mental images of the lifestyles of  individuals who live in a certain area of our country. I would imagine that individuals who live in the areas that surround Yellowstone National Park make a conscious effect to preserve their environment because they have been so successful at maintaining the park's natural beauty. Furthermore, after viewing Sambunaris's exhibit, I gained a greater appreciation for Maryland's natural environment. Maryland may not have Colorado's mountains or  the Mexican border's natural division terrains, but we do have the Chesapeake Bay, woodlands and other terrains that are common in the Northeast. Marylanders must preserve the environment that we have. The environment not only provides beautiful sights, but it also provides Marylanders with valuable resources.  

(WC: 286)

One for One

Sometimes, we forget how fortunate we really are. We forget that some children do not have items as basic as shoes. TOMS®, founded by Blake Mycoskie, produces footwear and eyewear. While the designs of its actual products are simple yet unique, the company's philanthropic efforts are quite impressive. I adore the company's concept of "one for one." TOMS® promises to donate one pair of shoes to a child living in poverty for every pair of shoes sold. Because I enjoy being charitable, I will gladly patronize a company that gives me the satisfaction of helping a child in need. 

 (WC: 99)

Picture Source: theberry.com

 

Home Is the Foundation

Home is an individual's foundation. It is the environment that establishes an individual's character, personality, and destiny. Westminster, Maryland is my home. Although I was born in Baltimore, I developed my sense of self in Westminster where I attended elementary, middle, and high school. While I have never shared the same love for country music and roasted peanuts as many Westminster natives, I have adopted their underdog reputation. This reputation, along with my family and dreams, motivates me to be my best self. Although I no longer reside in good ol' Westminster, I am proud to call it my home.

(WC: 100)