Reflection: Weeks 11 & 12

Week 11

We did an environmental literacy activity where we came up with our own definitions. Then we watched a short video called 'The Story of Stuff ', where a woman basically broke it down for us about 'stuff'. It was very interesting. Then Dr. V  brought in some 'junk' for us. We thought up some ideas that it could be up-cycled into. We also did the issue overview for our blogs, which was also quite interesting.

Week 12

This week was all about blog hops. We created one to hop from each of our blogs to show our photo essays. Everyone's ideas were really great!

Learned about myself...
I learned that I actually like upcycling. I never thought I would be the kind of person to recycle my old junk but I am actually considering trying it now!
Learned about the environment...
Not many things can function without a positive respect for the environment in mind. Keith's Photo Essay really sticks in my head because I can't believe there are neighborhoods right here in Minnesota that have environmental issues like these. It really opened my eyes.
Learned about blogging...
I learned that I want to keep up my blogging after the class is over. There are many things to blog about on a daily basis and I don't think I will ever get bored with it. It is kind of fun to vent through your blog!

Hope everyone had a good turkey break! 

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 9: Weekly Update

My SMART Goal

My SMART goal for the past week of the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change was:

"I will take 3 minute showers unless it is a shaving day, in which case I will allow myself 7 minutes."

Successes & Challenges  

This week was another success. I wanted to round out my Lifestyle Change with a 100% success rate this last week, so I even limited my shaving to once! That was probably the biggest challenge, or so my boyfriend would say. Haha.

Feelings
I felt like this is so easy now I look for other ways I can continue this eco-chicness throughout my life. The many ways consist of re-usable bags, glass water bottle, organic vegetables, and recycling. Now since we have learned about upcycling also, I am trying to work this into my life.

What I Learned

I learned that lifestyle changes are just that, lifestyle changes. You have to make it a part of your everyday routine in order for it to actually feel like an accomplishment and to really help your environment. We all need to remember in whatever we do, the environment allows us to do those things, so protect it!

Plans for Next Week/Life!

I will be keeping up this change for as long as I can possibly go without harming myself or anyone around me. Success!

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 9 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

Share and Voice: Quiet Hurricane Season due to GLOBAL WARMING???

I found this article on National Geographic News ... 2009 Hurricane Season Quietest in Decades.

What I thought was interesting about this article was that it seems to be another sort of proof that global warming is in fact happening.. despite what oh so many politicians are trying to tell us. November 30th was the last day of the hurricane season and the article goes on to talk about the count of hurricanes being down quite a bit from last year, but mentioning that when there is a hurricane though, it is bigger in force and size.

National Geographic states, "Hurricanes draw their energy from ocean waters that have been heated to at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.6 degrees Celsius)." This would explain why global warming causes these hurricanes to be a lot more powerful. Check this article out; it is quite interesting. Let me know what your thoughts are!

Eye Opener: Photo Essay

After much thought about what would be an appropriate and interesting photo essay, I finally decided on...    Unsafe Rental Housing.

It seems that many college students are living in properties nowadays that are under-maintained and unsafe. Many don't know what is actually considered unsafe and I looked up a couple of renter's rights in regards to the safety of their rental property. Here are some I found quite interesting (all courtesy of MSN Real Estate):

1. Many states limit the amount landlords can charge for security deposits. (See this page on Nolo.com to find out if yours is one of them.)

2. A landlord must give prior notice (typically 24 hours) before entering your premises and can normally only do so to make repairs or in case of an emergency.

3. If a landlord has violated important terms related to health, safety, or necessary repairs, you might have a legal right to break your lease.

4. If you have to break a long-term lease, in most states landlords are required to search for a new tenant as soon as possible rather than charging the tenant for the full duration of the lease.

5. Damage or security deposits are not deductible for "normal wear and tear." Some states require that a landlord give an itemized report of any deductions.

6. Most states require landlords to return refundable portions of a security deposit within 14 to 30 days after the tenant has vacated the premises, even in the case of eviction.

7. In many states, it's illegal for a lease to stipulate that the tenant is responsible for the landlord's attorney fees in case of a court dispute.

And, finally, here are some photos I got from the property we are currently renting here in Duluth. I will add that this property has been the nicest I have rented here by far, so the photos were hard to find. If I were able to go back to the other places that I lived I would certainly be able to acquire WAY more.

This first photo was in the bedroom. These wires are just laying out and have been that way since we moved in.

This one is a picture of the mold in the upstairs shower, where I complete my Lifestyle Changes every week. No wonder I can keep them so short!!! :)

This shows the screen, or lack there of, for the front door.

I actually discovered while I was taking these photos that this smoke detector wasn't even working! Major no-no!

Ceiling problems....

 

 

In all college rental properties, fireplaces are not allowed because the insurance would be too high. This fireplace, in fact, DOES work. HUGE NO-NO.

This closet door isn't actually hooked up to anything and when you slide it, it falls down. Extremely unsafe since these old doors are as heavy as boulders.

This is very misleading however, since your view of the front of this closet looks like it is big and a nice size.

I hope by viewing my photo essay it has opened your eyes and made you aware of things to look for in your own rental property. Your landlord doesn't have ALL the power. Happy renting!