Final Journal entry

Reflective Blog

Final Journal Entry                  Ian Rawson

            The weekly readings in the course this term provided material that challenged us to deconstruct the craft and content of each writer’s work. This effort brought very useful insights, that I tried to apply in my own writing. I particularly appreciated the video clips of interviews with the authors, and noting the mood shifts as several of them cooled their opinionated rants from their published works in face-to-face discussions. I appreciated the phased distribution of materials each week, removing the temptation to read every thing at the same time. This allowed us to focus on the material on hand, and to take advantage of the interplay of theses and styles of the authors in the same week. I printed most of the readings and have filed them in categories of craft techniques.

            As I proceeded with the blog entries, I turned to the assigned readings to enrich my interpretations of what I had seen and experienced in the Frick Park island. I also benefited from advice from the center’s staff and from out monthly reading groups on biophyllia.

            My comfort with breaking new ground (for me) in the science of plant ecology grew exponentially as the term continued. New insights, fresh reflections, and revealed theories about the biotic communities influenced the depth and reflection in each entry (and especially in my later total revision). I turned back to each blog post and rewrote them in a growing stack of reflections. The seasonal shift this year was delayed and offered less drama than usual. However, as the leaves finally fell, I was exposed to the national and international reports and forecasts about climate change. This helped me to reconstruct some of my original premises about the island. More insights, more rewriting…

            My personal learning from the course took several paths. Importantly, I was able to dispense with a fear of the unknown. I knew little about the dynamics of the natural world, and I appreciated the opportunity to expand my learning. I won’t walk again past a wood lot without wanting to dive in and explore the understory and look for examples of collaboration or competition. My vision of nature has shifted from a static image to a 3-dimensional, dynamic view.

            This course has been a very valuable reading and writing experience as I wrote an edited my thoughts over the term. On the wall above my computer, Post-It notes reminded me to attend to voice, POV, narrative arc, motivation and more. Every week I would take one or more of the wall and and test what I had written against those characteristics. I am certain that my writing will continue in its depth meaning, but for the moment, I am aware of a tangible advancement in my skills.

            Looking to the future, and my MFA thesis, I am developing a memoir about the years I had spent in Haiti, starting when I was an impressionable 13 years old. The tentative title is What I Learned in Haiti, focusing on my work at a rural hospital. The story features the interplay among Haitian farmers and the natural world, and the Haitian dignity, grace and respect for each other, even in the face of deep poverty. I also will continue the development of daily 100-word reflections with experimental (for me) craft techniques.

            I owe a debt of gratitude to Mel for the effort that she has invested in developing this course, and for the observations and suggestions from my fellow students.