Chad Cyboran: Week 2

I went out and spent some time with Melvin today. Not a full 30 minutes because it was drizzling and I've got stuff to do. He seemed lonely in his pot away from the rest of the trees and plants. He can see all the other, much bigger fruit trees that can stretch out and produce much produce. Melvin sadly will never be anywhere near as large as them or produce as much fruit but he understands why and is fine with it. He's special in his own way. I noticed a few spiders' webs on his leaves and thought of it as a sad symbol of forgottenness. Then I considered it and that thought that Melvin may appreciate the spiders. They provide company and give him a new sense of importance. After feeling bad for melvin, I realized that there's no need because he serves a unique purpose and his life is just as fulfilling as any large, freegrowing tree in any forest.

Bennett Mabee: Week 2

My 30 minute encounter with Thor was relaxing. The stresses of the week melted away as I climbed, leaned against, and talked to my tree. As I spent time with Thor, I focused on his features, which was a welcome distraction! I was bit by a mosquito, and then I realized that stagnant water that Thor holds is probably allowing mosquitoes to breed! I was impressed by the large cracks in Thor's bark. They reminded me of deep lacerations that require stitches. I found the smell of the tree and its walnuts on the ground to be refreshing. The smell reminds me of hanging out with my grandpa many years ago. We threw the walnuts out into the street near my grandparent's house and watch cars run them over. I look forward to spending more time with Thor and seeing what memories and experiences will come about.

Alex Rubin: Week 2

Going out to my tree this week was somewhat annoying at first. I knew I had things that needed to get done, and the last thing I wanted to do was sit and be still and quiet. But I have to admit that after I climbed up and found a spot to sit, I was able to relax and appreciate being outside. As I sat there, Ferdinand concealed me from everyone: those burning brush, those doing laundry, and everyone else. I felt alone, both the good kind and the not so good kind. It was nice to get away from people for 15 minutes, and feel the cool breeze on my face. It was a good time to put my focus back on God, where it belongs. As the wind blew, Ferdinand stood strong with his thick trunk. He reminded me of an old grandpa elephant: wringly and grey. Sitting there, I knew it would be a place of rejuvenation during the rest of the semester as I get worn down with class and the girls here. A place of solitude is something I rarely get and realize I need.

Shelby Selvidge: Week 2

The morning was a sunny morning after a nice week of rain. It was pleasant to be in my hammock hanging from my tree out in the sun. It was a challenging week mentally and emotionally, and to be relaxing in my tree, whom I'v named Emmanuel, in a time of solitude was a great end to the week. I felt reverent and relieved the week was over. I relished the time and even felt like climbing around in my tree after exiting from the hammock. The tree seemed happy after such a nice week of watering and sturdy despite the harsh winds of the week. God make me like a tree rooted deep in your stream of living water.

Brett Finley: Week 1

I have sat next to this tree doing homework many times now. This tree fern is very different from trees that we have at home. I originally came to his location to do homework because I could plug in my laptop to work on my papers and be outside at the same time. I get distracted many times when writing papers and observe my surroundings. I found that this tree fern really interested me. The way they show their past in all the broken off limbs, the tops just look like a fern that we would have at home in PA. It is almost as if the tree fern is representative of both my life at home and also my life in NZ. As I sit here now it is a cloudy yet beautiful day. The smell of fire burning in the distance as some ash sometimes finds it's way on this very paper. The warm air makes me think of summertime yet the ash is a reminder of snow. It is just the end of summertime here yet winter at home. When sitting here before I wrote a poem.

The summer air, the sound of birds
for these I have no words
Where I am, is far from home
But in my heart, there I roam

The smell so dear
The sound I hear
Memories come and go
Just as quick, I say no

To time so happy
And ones so sappy
I hold them near

And yet so far

Cara Davenport: Week 1

I decided on the cabbage tree right outside the front gate of the convent. There's a clear view of it from my window, and in the morning and afternoons starlings sit and hang upside down out from its leaves, eating the seedy clumps that branch out from the fronds. I chose it because I could remember its name, and I like knowing the names of things. It's also one of the trees that, since it looks like a palm tree, gives this Pennsylvania-esque farmland an exotic, jungle-like feeling. There's a very simple, clean look about it.

Amanda Beck: Week 1

Choosing a Tree
The tree that I chose is a pear tree, situated just beyond the corner of the deck in a bed of mulch. There's something about it that catches my eye, beyond the provision of fruit. I like the way it stands, stretching and bowing as if tempting you to pick a pear, though not quite ripe yet. I like the way its trunk and bottom branches feel - rough and moss-covered. It gives the impression of age. The tree is surrounded by flowers, little chairs and pots. This isn't a wild tree, but the work of humans on the ground can't affect the way the branches bend in the air. I guess there's two sides to every story. I couldn't really say what makes it good for me other than convenient places to sit, but I have no qualms making spontaneous decisions, especially when there are pears involved.