Jessica Simpson- Nature Experience

Today was beautiful, a few friends and me decided to visit the Pfac up the road to view some art, but when we arrived it was closed so employees could hang a new exhibit. Disappointed by the closing, and impressed the stunning change of weather from this morning we went to Lion’s Gate beach to sit on the sand and warm our toes. I forgot how good it feels to free your mind and relax, we sat on a slab of cement and listened to the wind and water as it crashed up against the stone. The longer we sat there the more my mind wandered from the stresses of school and work and the when I faintly heard the slap of a fish out of water, I peered over the edge of the cement slab and there was a fish, about eight inches long, it was the largest fish I had ever seen in the wild. After the awe affect wore off, I jumped into action, “ save the fish!” I yelled to my good friend who was lying next to me soaking in the afternoon sun. He leapt to his feet and grasped the fish with both hands hurling it back into the water, back into life. I was relieved. We look around and see four more fishes flopping around on the sand attempting to find the sweet release of h2o. Again my friend sprang into action, one by one plopping each fish back into the water, and although there were birds looming nearby scoping out the water for their dinner, it was satisfying knowing a life was saved if only for a moment. It was sublime.

Jessica Simpson- Nature Experience

Today was beautiful, a few friends and me decided to visit the Pfac up the road to view some art, but when we arrived it was closed so employees could hang a new exhibit. Disappointed by the closing, and impressed the stunning change of weather from this morning we went to Lion’s Gate beach to sit on the sand and warm our toes. I forgot how good it feels to free your mind and relax, we sat on a slab of cement and listened to the wind and water as it crashed up against the stone. The longer we sat there the more my mind wandered from the stresses of school and work and the when I faintly heard the slap of a fish out of water, I peered over the edge of the cement slab and there was a fish, about eight inches long, it was the largest fish I had ever seen in the wild. After the awe affect wore off, I jumped into action, “ save the fish!” I yelled to my good friend who was lying next to me soaking in the afternoon sun. He leapt to his feet and grasped the fish with both hands hurling it back into the water, back into life. I was relieved. We look around and see four more fishes flopping around on the sand attempting to find the sweet release of h2o. Again my friend sprang into action, one by one plopping each fish back into the water, and although there were birds looming nearby scoping out the water for their dinner, it was satisfying knowing a life was saved if only for a moment. It was sublime.

Ryan Pageau-Trip to Yorktown Beach

Yesterday I was sitting at home around 1:00 doing homework when my friend asked me what I did last night. We had a short talk, and I asked her the same thing. She told me she went to Yorktown beach. Since im not from around this area I had no clue what beach she was talking about. She said "take j clyde like 20 minutes and you will see signs for it." I said ok, im going to go check it out.

I hopped in my car with my dog and we headed down j clyde. All I kept seeing was signs for Yorktown so I figured I was on the right track and just kept driving. As the mileage to Yorktown got smaller, I became more assured that I would make it there. I finally got to a bridge, and started driving over it when I realized the beach was getting further from me because I drove directly past it.

I got over this massive bridge and as I come down the other side I see there is a toll booth. So, I paid the toll only to immediatly make a u-turn and pay the exact same toll over again. I made my way back across the same bridge and saw the beach, this time getting closer rather than farther. I pull into Yorktown, and saw shops, restaraunts, etc on my left, and the beach a little further down.

I parked my car, got my dog, and walked the beach for 30 minutes of so. This beach was a lot nicer. the sand actually crumbled between your toes unlike the packed sand of buckroe beach. This beach was also a lot less noisy. Not many people were out there with me, and it was nice to not hear people talking and kids screaming for once. All I could really hear was the small waves coming in, and my dogs ruckus.
Overall I think this beach trip was a little better only because it was a lot more peaceful.

Ryan Pageau-Buckroe Beach

My roommates, our two dogs, and a couple of friends took a trip to buckroe beach on the 21st. The weather was too nice to pass up. We woke up around 12:30, and hit the road by 1:30. This is of course after stopping for wawa. The drive was only about 30 minutes down 64, its usually around 20 but we decided to go to the private section where the dogs could roam free.

We were equipped with 5 baseball gloves, 1 baseball bat, 4 baseballs, 1 football, and 1 soccer ball; more than enough to keep us occupied for a couple of hours. When we first got there the sun was just barely beginning to get covered by the clouds, and was totally covered about 30 minutes later. The weather was about 70 degrees on the way down there, and I totally forgot that being next to the water would be a little bit colder. Still warm enough for shorts and short sleeves, but nowhere near warm enough to go in the water.

Since I brought my puppy who is now about 5 months old to the beach, I figured I would try and get her to go in the water or at least check it out as she had never seen the beach before. I walked her over to the edge of the water, and she just would not have it. After trying over and over, I picked her up, walked waist deep into the freezing water and threw her as far as I could into the ocean. She dunked under the water for a second then popped right up and swam her way to the shore. She did not look happy, but at least I know she can swim now.

I walked her up and down the beach collecting some interesting looking shells, while she tried to play with every other dog she saw. After playing ball for a couple of hours, the sun had completely gone away, so we decided to pack it up and leave. Overall I would have to say that my trip to buckroe beach was a success and when srping comes around my trips to the beach will be more frequent.

Jessica Simpson- "I'm worth more than beans and rice..."

In class the other day while watching a short film by a former student about a class hike, Prof. Redick said "I'm worth more than beans and rice...", he was referring to how his body feels after depriving it of the everyday comforts that we are used to, like a warm bed or a cup of coffee.

His statement made me reflect on my own life, and how I often don’t exert my body or mind to the point of discomfort, or if I do, I don’t rejoice in the fact that I’m doing something different, but complain that I am uncomfortable. This isn't just me though, observing other people you can see that a lot of people live their lives this way. Most don't want to leave their comfort zones and experience new things if it means what connects them to the world cannot come along. Things like cell phones or ipods, laptops and internet. But removing yourself from these things every once in a while, it can be so relaxing and rejuvenating. I remember when I lost my phone for a few weeks once, I thought I would be so disconnected from my friends and that it was going to be so awful, but it wasn't. It was nice not to be so easily contacted, I chose when I was going to call people and when I would talk to someone. It was relaxing.

This class has also taught me to appreciate your life everyday, because the world is full of beauty and there is always something to uncover. That the phrase "smell the roses," is not one to be ignored. Don't stress over things, because you come to find that they aren't all that important in the grand scheme of things.

Cold Fever- Jessica Simpson

The film Cold Fever was not what I expected, I thought it was a little dry at times and since both the main character and the setting were foreign I thought it was going to be hard to relate too or understand. It was quite the opposite however, although the main character's problem was one that few can relate to the dedication to pleasing his grandfather and paying respect to his deceased parents is something that everyone can understand. It made me question how far I would go to preform a task like he was assigned. After all the obstacles that he must overcome to get to the river, he never gave up or lost hope.
The only Americanization to the film was the two tourists, who were hijackers and seemed somewhat disturbed. The depiction of the Americans in the film made me wonder if that is the impression we give to most foreigners? Often times Americans don't have good reputations in other countries, why is it so many of us give off these bad impressions that leave sick opinions of us out there?

Our Favorite Tree/Landscapes of the Sacred, Crystal Cyr

"Go outside!" my mother used to shout, when my brother and I were being rowdy. So we put on our grubby old tennis shoes and went out. We usually played in the woods behind our house. We pretended to be pirates and indians and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. When I think back on it, in all of those games we played, there was one common factor. A really big tree. It was the largest of all the trees in the woods behind our house, and it was perfect for climbing in. You could also hang an old sheet from one of the branches and make a great pretend indian teepee. The trunk of the tree was stout and the fat limbs shot out of it about four feet off the ground, which is perfect when you're about ten years old. It was the best tree ever.

The tree was sacred to my brother and I. It was a place to burn energy. It was a place we could go to when we were mad or upset. No one else used the tree like we did. We were the only people who thought of it as a safe place, a place we could make into anything we wanted it to be. It was a place were we could just be kids...and be as wild and rowdy as we wanted to be. We used to play out there until the sunset. It was our favorite place. In a way, that big old tree chose us. It helped us to connect, to make an awesome brother-sister bond that we still have to this day. If I went back to that tree today I know I would still feel safe. I would still feel at home. I would still feel connected to that place.

A Sacred Encounter

Emily Aquilina

I never realize how much I appreciate the landscape that I grew up with until I come home. I live in Culpeper County about a half an hour from Shenandoah national park and Skyline Drive. From my front porch I have a great view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the rolling forested hills that lead up to them. On a clear morning I like to wake up and go for a jog along the dirt road on which my home is situated. I am greeted by the horses and cows that inhabit the fenced fields and I find my “happy place” sweating amongst the trees and flowers that grow along the winding road.

While I do go on these outings to rid myself of stress and enjoy the great outdoors, I don’t always go in search of “sacred place.” I have, however, found it without trying. This, I feel, qualifies as a sacred place by the standards set by Lane and several of his axioms.

It was early and I was no more that a mile from my house. I was at a place on the road that dips onto a bridge that crosses over a small creek and I decided to stay for a moment and throw rocks into the water below, as is habitual. After a moment or so I noticed a strange sound coming from the darkness under the bridge. Curious, I slowly descended the hill down to the creek and looked under the bridge. I was greeted by a black bear the size of a sofa who was rolling around in the water, apparently to cool off from the sun that was already blazing hot.

I was frozen to the spot, not with fear, but with fascination. It was shocking to be in the presence of something so powerful in what appeared to be its natural state. Whether or not it noticed me I didn’t know, but I never felt like I was like I was in danger and all of the stories of bear attacks that had been used by parents to keep us clear of danger left my mind.

I feel that this makes the bridge by the creek a sacred place because of the ways that it conforms to the axioms of Lane. He says that “sacred place is not chosen, it chooses.” I did not go out in search of a sacred place and yet I found it as if that place was choosing me. It felt almost as if both I and the bear were meant to meet under the bridge and the place that we were meant to meet was the bridge.

Another of Lane’s axioms says that a “sacred place can be tred on without being entered.” I had jogged countless times over that bridge and had never once experienced anything more than a small amount of fun at tossing a rock and watching it splash to the bottom of the pool. It was only when I came across the bear that that place gained a power to be considered sacred.

Ryan Pageau-Natural Setting

The weekend before we came back for break I was home in Fairfax and since the weather was decent, I decided to make the trip to Old Rag Mountain in the Shenandoah National Forest. I have hiked Old Rag once before about a year ago and I loved it. The hike is actually a loop about 8-9 miles long that brings you right back to the parking area where the hike begins. I left my house at about 9:3- am on Saturday and arrived to the parking area around 10:45-11:00. I threw on my boots, paid for my parking and started walking. Last time I hiked this trail I had someone with me however this time I was alone, allowing me to move at my own pace. I had my camel back, and some food I made earlier to eat at the top of the mountain. Once I got to the beginning of the trail I didn't hesitate I just got right to it. I only stopped a couple of times throughout the hike, unlike my previous trip where I was frequently stopping to climb on random rocks, and to pick up a little snake. There is a section of the hike that I particularly look forward to during the hike; a section full of caves, steep rock climbs, and amazing views. Once I reached this point, I made sure to take my time and admire the many different viewpoints the hike had to offer. On top of the mountain there are boulders about 3 times the size of houses that you have to leap across to make it to the next one. This is where I ate lunch. Other than the little ants trying to get my food, it was very peaceful up there, as I only saw about 15 other hikers that day as opposed to my last trip where I saw about 30-40 throughout the hike. I sat for about 30 minutes eating and looking out when I decided to pack it in and leave. The hike down is not nearly as fun however. The hike up the mountain is actually trail type walking whereas the hike back down the other side is more of a truck road with just gravel. On the way down you will see various cabins used for shelter, fun, rest and streams that flow on either side of you. Last time I passed these streams I actually sat by them for a while and walked through them; this day I just bypassed them. The hike back down is only about three miles of easy walking so I made it back to the parking lot in no time. Overall, id say the hike was not as good as my first trip to Old Rag Mountain, but was worth the trip and I will definitely be doing it again hopefully sooner than later.

Crystal Cyr/Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture, Flow concept....

I would definitely agree that people are sometimes "in the zone," or have a certain flow when they play sports. I am however not a gifted enough athlete to have ever felt flow when playing sports. However, I am a classically trained musician and have been singing in front of audiences since I was ten. I would definitely say that I have the same type of feeling when I am on stage. I always know I have had a good performance if I don't remember it. I always remember my musical mistakes, so if I remember nothing about the performance I would say I achieved that perfect flow in whatever piece I had sung. It is actually quite exhilerating to exit the stage and remember nothing. My most recent voice teacher always says to me during my lessons,"Stop thinking and just sing!" Its kind of like Nike's, "just do it," campaign.

Crystal Cyr, Sacred place can be tread upon but unentered/ Lane

Over spring break my husband and I went on a Southern Caribbean cruise. I am typically not the type who likes cruising very much. It feels a bit too rushed. I prefer to take my time enjoying the nearby sites and chatting up the locals. A cruise however, has a strict itinerary which only allows for small intervals of enjoying whatever locale your boat is parked at. However, my husband really needed a relaxing vacation, as work and life in general were becoming quite stressful. So we packed our bags and headed to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where our ship was to set sail from.

Our first stop was St. Thomas. I had never been to the Southern Caribbean before so, being the early riser that I am, I woke up at 7am the first morning of our vacation and looked out the big window that was in our stateroom. The view was exhilerating. A smile spread across my face and I was nearly jumping up and down as we approached the island. It was like something out of the Johnny Depp flick,"Pirates of the Carribean." The water was an awesome pristine blue and there were huge rock formations, which resembled small islands of their own, protruding out of the aqua blue abyss.

After waking up my very groggy husband, we proceeded ashore and we went to a nearby beach called Meghans Bay. The bay is in a square shapped inlet. There are mountains on two opposite sides and a beach on one side looking out to the Caribbean Sea. The water is calm here since it is in an inlet between the mountains. It is the only beach I have ever been to where you could see striaght to the bottom and there is no plant life on the bay floor. Just smooth white sand under the most gorgeous blue water you've ever seen.

Clint and I staked out a quiet spot as far from the other tourists as we could get and spread out our old checked beach blanket. I peeled off my swimsuit cover and sat down. My super pale Irish skin was in dire need of some sunshine. I sat there for sometime soaking up my surroundings. Relaxing. I love beaches. I have found beaches to be these sort of peaceful, healing type of places. Its why I moved out of the midwest to the East Coast. It is why my husband and I drove twenty one hours to Florida from Northern Indiana in the end of December to get married on a beach. It is why every vacation I have taken in the past five years was required to have a trip to the beach. For as long as I can remember I have been drawn to beaches.

However, this beach, Meghan's Bay Beach, was different from any other beach I'd ever been to. It had mountains soaring upward on both sides of it. My dad had always found peace in the mountains. When I was growing up we always vacationed in the mountains. I remember my dad driving the old pickup truck south all night until we were in the mountains the next morning. He used to always say,"Someday, I am going to retire here. I am going to buy me a mountain, build a house way up in the holar, grow a big ol' beard, and be a mountian man." He love to talk about moving to the mountains. To him it was the most peaceful place he could think of.

As I relaxed in the awesome beauty of Meghan's Bay and the lovely cliffs that surrounded it, I couldn't help but feeling connected to my dad. He passed away last Summer. It felt somehow like I had been lead to this place where both he and I would have felt an overwhelming wave of peace. Him because of the mountains soaring above the cove and me because of the soft sandy beach with cool crystal waters lapping up to the shore. I seriously doubt anyone else there was having the same experience. It was definitely something precious that I will never ever forget. All I could think was,"I know you are at peace daddy. I know you are."