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Journal 8: The Food Forest

On my visit to the Food Forest on November 8th, I learned a lot of cools things I never knew before. This was my first time visiting the Food Forest and it definitely won’t be my last. The forest was built as a student initiative for the University to incorporate permaculture and a home for plants of all kinds to live and grow. The forest holds different type of native and invasive plants along with a variety of fruits and vegetable plants that we know and love. 

The Food Forest originally began as a dirt lot. The students who began this initiate received a grant of $100,000 to fund the creation of the Food Forest. The gravel road was transformed into amended soil in which it was worked on to develop a solid home the plants and animals that inhibit it today. In 2011, the first plant grew and from there the Food Forest began to flourish. Today, it is the largest Food Forest on the Southeastern side of the nation. 

As mentioned, the Food Forest has a variety of plants that make it what it is. When walking in, the forest has a sign that designates the garden etiquette you must practice while in the garden areas. As you see, there are things to note for harvesting, entering the forest, where to walk, where to explore and discover, and what to bring back with you. Following these rules are essential to ensure the garden is being taken care of properly and with ease. 

Some of the plants I saw were fire bush, clumping bamboo, catog, papayas, Mexican sunflower, bananas, katuk, jujube, coffee, African arrowroot, and macadamia nut trees. I learned that fire bush is used for medicinal uses and also food. Many people use it as a supplement for Tylenol. I also learned that the clumping bamboo is essential to protect the forest of hurricanes and strong winds that might happen. And finally, I learned that catog is used a food item much like spinach where you can boil it or use it for a salad green. Pictures of the various plants I took are below: 

No flowers this time of the year ): ^

Look at the harvest code! What does it mean? (Hint: look at the Garden etiquette sign)

The coffee plant ^

Overall, the trip to the Food Forest was really cool and interesting and I am glad that we went on it. Its a cool resources to have to be able to work in nature and also get your service learning hours if you are in need! 

10/10 would recommend.

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Journal 7: Lee County Waste to Energy

This field trip was one of the most interesting ones we went on this semester. On this field trip, we watched how our daily household trash gets turned into energy to use for the county. Lee County Resource Facility has 5 different names. The first being the Lee County Resource Facility, another one is Waste to Energy, another one is Energy to Waste, another one is Magic Plant and the final one is just the trash facility. 

On this trip, we learned how the facility has been under a service agreement since 1994 and is own by Covanta which is a privately owned company that has been running for the last 40 years. This company runs over 42 plants nation wide with their main focus on reusable and sustainable energy. The facility now seeks experts and specialized labor in the field because more talent is becoming more and more important. 

The most impactful thing I learned while on this field trip was the actual process of transforming energy into waste. Here is a diagram: 

The trash goes into something they call the “fuel pit” and it looks like the picture here: 

From here, the trash is taken to the fire pit and this is where the trash is burned. There are tubes surrounding the fire pit filled with water. The water begins to evaporate and go through some more tubes where the steam then powers a turbine that turns and creates energy. The facility uses 15% of the energy that they make to power their own facility and the rest goes to the county. 

Some fun facts I learned while I was on the trip are that: 

-One ton of trash is made per person per year (4.4lbs per day)

-There are 5 pickups a day; household garbage, recyclables, yard waste, e-waste, and bulk waste

-A single stream recycling plant is a mechanical and human effort to separate materials to provide feedstock to manufactures 

-Tires being disposed are limited to 2 per week per household at the curb, permitted to be 5% daily load waste, and it is a BTU (British Thermal Unit) value of 3-4 times garbage 

-The recycling goal in Florida is to have 74% of recycling. We are always in the top 10 counties of recycling 

-The four main fuels are coal, natural gas, nuclear, and diesel and fuel oil

-Renewable alternatives are hydroelectric, solar and wind, and waste 

All and all, this was probably one of my favorite field trips and I am really glad that I went and was able to learn all that I did. Here is a picture of me enjoying the fire pit. 

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Journal 6: Pachamama Alliance - Awakening the Dreamer Project

After viewing the introduction of Awaking the Dreamer, I am excited to finish the rest of the sections and learn about how I could bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritual fulfilling, socially just human presence to this Earth. I am looking forward to learning about each section, especially about the new story that supposedly changed everything.

After the where are we section, I truly feel more humbled. I did not know some of the challenges mentioned were ones that we are currently facing. I feel more knowledgeable of the issues facing modern society. Visually seeing the way, the system and population growth are ruining the sustainability of the Earth really made me reflect on my own environmental efforts and contribution to global overshoot. In the delving into social justice and spiritual fulfillment subsection, the biggest thing that stood out to me was the part that more than half of worlds poverty live on less than $2.50 and more than one half of all wealth is held by 1% of the population. This was wild to me and made me step back and think of the money I spend and the things that are materialistic I don’t need in my life. From this section, I learned about oppression, racism, sexism, social injustice, equity, environmental harm, population control issues, and more and how love is the key to pulling us through these challenges we are facing.

After the how did we get here section, it made me reflect on the unexamined assumptions that we face in modern society that impact our environment, social justice, and our human fulfillment. The assumption that we have a place called “away” made me think back to the field trip we had the trash plant and where our trash really goes. Thankfully there are organizations that can turn our trash into energy, but this is not common throughout society.  I think another unexamined assumption that is connected to my life is one where I unknowing over purchase items I don’t necessarily need. I feel a lot of people in developed countries can relate to this. A large reason for this over consumption is because we have a society where our materialistic items “classify” us into an economic class. People are worried about themselves and not the planet.  

After viewing the section on the new story and the illusion of separation, some observations, I realized was that I am never alone. When I did the reflection / meditation within the section and I was asked to think of a time I was feeling alone, I truly could not think of one. As discussed in previous journals, my sense of place is people. Because of this, I can truly connect with this section because I believe that it is not possible to be separate from one another or even nature.  We are all connected and come from the same source. We are a fraction of the universe walking around and supporting it. This was probably the section I felt the most connected with so far.

After viewing the section of what is possible now, I gained hope for what our future is going to be. Although this is not a guarantee that it will be fixed and everything will be okay, the improvement through innovations and the efforts made to make this society more connected and care about social, economic, and environmental issues has shown and mattered. I got chills when the video showed the list of organizations involved in the promise to do better and he said it would take 3-weeks to watch the list go by in the video. That made me feel happy and relief that people out there are really beginning to care and make a difference. If media included these practices and attempted to unite more people into efforts of connecting us, the results would be outstanding, and people would play a larger part in the efforts.

After the final section of where we go from here, I made the commitment to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet. In the past, I have protested for Black Lives Matter in the streets of downtown Tampa. I have been faced with the harsh society and the people who have not made the commitment I just did. Through this section, I have realized that me lighting the torch now, will set prepare future generations to take it after. If we play our role, life will have meaning. I have committed to be a part of the engagement pathway and to expand my learning in efforts in how I can help and contribute to the growing changes.

My wow moment while taking this course was the part, I mentioned earlier how the screen played back the list of companies who have begun to take the initiative in supporting and helping society and the environment. When the narrator mentioned that if someone was to play this video starting at 9am, it would take 3 weeks to finish watching it. I physically got chills when I heard this, and it made me realize that that people have made a bigger impact than I thought.  

Overall, this course was very beneficial for me and made me feel humbler and knowledgeable of what exactly is going on in today’s world. It brought up amazing points and made me realize where we are. One point that stood out to me was the point that racism effects all people and destroys human systems. In order to change the systems, we must put new people within them. Another phrase that stood out to me was that we cannot have peace on the earth unless we have peace with the Earth. Without this course, I would not have connected my purpose with the purpose and doings of others. I now better understand modern day assumptions and ways that I can transform them. I made the commitment and promise from now and forever to serve society and bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritual fulfilling, socially just human presence to this Earth.

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Journal 5: Earth Charter and Global Efforts

In class, we broke down the Earth Charter and the COPs and spoke thoughtfully about the sustained progress of the doctrine. I found this conversation to be very interesting and something I took value from. We pointed out specific phrases, such as the last line of the charter of, "Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and then the joyful celebration of life." We spoke about what this line meant to us. Some felt it was a testimony for the future, others felt it was an announcement for something that has already begun. The point is, we all agree it is something powerful. Whether it is the beginning or something that has already begun, the Earth Charter is something that should be adopted by every individual. My learning from the Earth Charter is something I will take with me and practice for the rest of my life. Many things the doctrine points out are things I knew of, but didn't know how it truly impacted the Earth. It taught me my responsibilities and how I can contribute little by little to make a bigger impact in the long run.

Citing the principles that I feel are most applicable is a hard task to do because essentially all of them are applicable, agreeable, and needed to allow this society to be sustained. If it had to come down to three principles, I would say principle 4, Secure Earth's Bounty and Beauty for Present and Future Generations, Principle 5, Protect and Restore the Integrity of Earth's Ecological Systems, with Special Concern for Biological Diversity and the Natural Processes that Sustain Life, and Principle 10, Ensure that Economic Activities and Institutions at all Levels Promote Human Development in an Equitable and Sustainable Manner. I feel these are the most applicable and important today because it touches on the 3 E's of environment, equity, and economics and these three things are what make society sustainable. Educating younger generations is a responsibility of every individual on this Earth. If we fail them, we fail everything. Protecting the Earth's ecological system's and sustainable supporting them is what will allow the Earth and its natural beauty flourish. Finally, helping individuals in an equitable manner and supporting them to be economically independent will straighten and empower more individuals to follow the Earth Charter.

Some forces that may hinder the implication of the Earth Charter is resistance, backlash, miscommunication, politics, and acceptance. The only way to establish these hindrances is to lead by example and educate. It is hard for society to accept this nuance without being educated or seeing it being done already. Due to something similar to the bystander effect, individuals new to the idea will rarely be the ones to practice it without a mentor or someone to follow. More organizations need to push for the adoption of the Earth Charter so employees, students, and even customers can become more familiar with it and practice it in their everyday lives.

Going into my wow moment on the global efforts and Earth Charter, I was taken back about how long and essential every principle is in it. In class I learned the doctrine took 6-years to write, and at first I was surprised, but now it makes sense. I was taken back about how detailed each principle was and how each applied to every sector in ones life. If an idincvial asked, "What is going on with the Earth and why is it slowly deteriorating?" I would look at them in the face and say, "Just read the Earth Charter, it'll tell you how to fix or sustain it." This book encompasses everything to a T, and that was my biggest wow moment.

Reference for Pics:

https://earthcharter.org/about-the-earth-charter/earth-charter-international/

https://www.greynun.org/what-we-do/advocacy/the-earth-charter/

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Journal 4: Echo and Food Footprint

On October 11th, I visited one of the most beneficial educational facilities I had ever been to. I had the privilege of visiting ECHO, Educational Concerns for Hunger, and learn about how their organization has changed the lives of thousands. During my visit, we focused on several key topics that built my learning and understanding for what exactly the organization does. The trip can be broken into key parts beginning with the introduction video in the beginning to the farm tour where I learned about appropriate technology, different farming methods, and sustainable farming.

In the introduction video, I really gained an appreciation for what exactly the organization does. The video first handily put life into perspective when it showed me how largely developing countries are affected with barley any food or drinking water. It taught me how weather has an impact on lives and it doesn't even have to be a natural disaster. The organization has saved thousands of people by teaching them how to properly farm, use their resources to make farming technologies, and how to do it sustainably.

When entering the farm, we were welcomed with the sign depicted in the picture above. This began our journey on learning about appropriate technology. Appropriate technology is the use of specific technologies that fit the environments needs. A big piece that we learned were the several different ways on how to filter water to make it safe to drink. To touch on some, below is a picture of a 20-ft water well. Developing countries will install this well in their community to draw water from deep within the Earth. The deeper it is, the cleaner it is. The well depicted is one that cost around $1,800, which in a developing country is a lot.

If a country is unable to afford a well like this one, there are many others that can offered. Some of those include a simple pressure pump or even a water bike to pull the water from its source. Pictures are below:

In any situation where an individual is unable to pull water or filter it via a device, they can always use crushed maringa and put it into their water in the hot sun and through time that will kill bacteria and clean the water.

Another appropriate technology and sustainable piece we learned about was the different ways to create heat and fire. We learned how to create fire from simply using propane to using cow manure. A picture of some of the ways to make heat are below:

Transitioning from appropriate technology, we learned how these technologies can be used to develop farming methods used by individuals to grow their business. Something interesting I learned was how they process rice by hand. In the pictures below, it shows the different methods on how individuals carry the rice. Alongside the baskets used, there is a tool used the get the corn off of its cob to be used for farming. Learning how to create these farming tools and knowing how to use them are essential for survival, especially when individuals have a need for them.

The biggest piece ECHO touched on was sustainability. ECHO truly emphasized the importance of sustainability and how easy it is to practice. The biggest take away I took from sustainability is that it is possible any where and can be done by anyone. During the tour we saw different sheds of shops that can be found in developed countries. One shed had store that reused rubber to create shoes. Another shed used hold metal containers to create kitchen utensils. 

Organizations like ECHO are so important to the world because it teaches people how to use the resources they have to survive. Individuals in developing countries are not equipped with the necessary knowledge or resources to live the same easy life those in developed countries. ECHO teaches not only those in developing countries, but those in developed countries how to be sustainable and thats why it is so important. 

One of my favorite demonstrations and adaptive technologies shown was the many different ways on how to build a house. In the picture below, you see walls built from bottles, hay, mud, sand, and even rocks. I could never conceptualize prior to ECHO that building a house could be done from something other than wood and sheets of dry wall. It can be done by adobe, bottles, bamboo, clay and sand, and a mixer of it all. My perspective on life was so small. Learning about the durability, the labor and all of the moving parts that go into putting shelter over someone’s head made me realize what I am really grateful for. Below is a picture of the different kind of walls: 

While on the tour, we came across many different plants used to help improve sustainability and the quality of someones life. We discussed maringa, which is a plant that holds a lot of different nutrients for consumption, but also can be used as a filtration supplement in water. We spoke about neem that is used as a natural insecticide to prevent bugs and other living organisms from eating the other plants and resources. We touched on black sapode, or “chocolate pudding” which can be used for consumption. Another plant we spoke about was red button ginger that can used as a natural shampoo or cleaner. 

Something I discovered while on my ECHO tour that I will take away and apply it to my everyday life is large use of sustainability and reusing resources. At the end of the tour, we had the opportunity to see a tire garden that used old tires as pots for a garden. I found this concept to be super unique and something I could see myself doing one day in my own home. I hope to grow my own vegetables and fruit and source my food from my own garden. Touring ECHO made it prevalent that I am just as capable of growing my own food and gardening as anyone else, I just have to go and do it. Below is a picture of the garden: 

Overall, my experience on the farm was one worth remembering for the rest of my life. I realized the overall importance of focusing on my food footprint and it opened my perspective to why it is so important. Growing up, I was never surrounded by an environment where growing your food was possible. My family would buy our food from the grocery store and call it a day. If I was raised  growing my own food, I truly believe I would be living a much healthier lifestyle and I would have more appreciation for what I consume. Currently, I live in an apartment, so growing my own food is not the easiest, but its also not impossible. Within the next year I plan on relocating to a space where I have my own personal backyard and the opportunity to be able to source my own food. 

I think an important idea to keep in mind is food consumption and waste. Like mentioned, I never grew up growing my own food or eating something that wasn’t processed. My parents never cared about that because they didn’t have time or the money. The most important thing when it comes to eating better/ more sustainable food isn’t that you need a lot of money or time, but you need to have the dedication and mindset to do it. It does not take extra time to go to a local food market if you’re not able to grow your own, it just takes dedication and appreciation to the idea. Moving forward from ECHO, I made a promise to myself to dedicate and appreciate what I am consuming. I am done taking my life for granted and I have moved onto making it better. I will use some of the sustainability practices I learned and I will educate myself on agriculture to be successful. 

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Journal 3: Six Miles Cypress Slough

UAfter reviewing the materials listed in the post, I was able to strengthen my learning that I gained walking through the slough. I find it very fascinating that in 1976 the conservation was protected by high school students who fundraised enough money to be able to purchase it and protect it. I did not realize it was 3,500 acres large either. While walking through the slough, I could tell that it was entering its dry season from October- May because in the beginning of the trail, there was not as much water. I learned in the video that winter season is the heart of the slough because it allows the environment to thrive. For example, birds have more resources because in the fish gather in groups and the birds are able to feed on them easier. While on the website, I thought it was really interesting to find that the slough costed over $35,000,000. Looking through the additional resources really opened my perspective to the develop and importance of the slough. 

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the field trip, so I am unsure of the four areas to focus on and discuss, but I can emphasize on the unique characteristics, and the biodiversity made-up from the flora and fauna that makes the slough the unique area it is. Firstly, while I was there, they actually had an entire section of the boardwalk closed near Alligator Lake. A picture is below. The boardwalk was closed due to the fact that there was an alligator who just had babies and they were protecting them. I found this to be so moving and eye opening to see that they truly care about the nature and the wild life that surrounds the area. 

Because I could not go though this area, I had to begin my tour backwards starting at Pop Ash Pond. While walking through this area, I noticed it was filled with an immense amount of swamp fern. Here is a picture that left me speechless: 

I was amazed with the fact that you couldn’t even see the ground or dirt. It seems Pop Ash Pond was more in a dry environment compared to the other areas. The book mentions that it is a, “feeding frenzy” and birds tend to migrate in this area. 

Here is a picture of me at Pop Ash Pond: 

Following, I walked by Otter Pond and this is when I noticed it began to get more wet in and the surrounding plants began to change a little bit. The area was covered in sebal palms and saw palmettos, as seen here: 

While at Otter Pond, I sat there for 30-min trying to be quiet and see a river otter, but unfortunately I was not successful. I saw a couple of birds dive in the water for fish which I thought was interesting. Near the pond, they had an area that was designated for reflection. While standing here, I meditated and sat quietly listening to the birds and the wind swaying the trees. It was a moment of peace in my life. The area looked like the following: 

After visiting Otter Pond and the reflection area, I made my way to Wood Duck Pond. Entering this area, it was very wet and the presence of cypress trees became more known. The ground had no presence of dirt, just a swampy slough. I found it interesting to actually see a stream flow through slough and see the water move. While walking through this area, I actually came across a squirrel that was running on the boardwalk. I took a picture of them here: 

I was surprised to see the squirrel because Wood Duck Pond is a wetland, but maybe he was hunting for some yummy food. Because Gator Lake was closed, I was unable to see the transition area, or any alligators if I was lucky. Although I was bummed, I was completely understanding and happy that the park took the initiative to close that area. While walking back through Otter Pond, I came across two different birds. One was a red-shouldered hawk I believe and the other was a great egret. Here are some pictures of them: 

Overall, this walk really helped develop my sense of place, ecological footprint and sustainability. It is crazy to imagine that this beautiful scenery is only 15-minutes down the road. High schoolers fought for this land to be here, and after seeing it, I fully see why. The park has opened my perspective on what Earth really entails and the beauty in keeping it safe. If those high schoolers did not chose to conserve this area, who knows what others wouldn’t be saved and the type of environment we would be living in? It has strengthened my sense of place and well-being, while also making me feel more cautious about my ecological footprint. It is our responsibility now to ensure this park stays thriving and educating millions more individuals to come through sustainability acts and further education. 

Six Miles Cypress Slough holds strong importance in Lee County history. From 1976 to 2021, it remains an important educational spot and staple for the county. Not only is a beautiful place to escape and take a walk, but it encompasses the natural beauty Florida has to offer with its native ecosystem. Going into the future, Six Mile Cypress Slough has threats of pollution, local government regulation, a drought and chemical waste. These are all possible in affecting the slough at any given moment, but with proper regulation and efforts, it can be prevented. 

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Journal 1: Introduction, Pre-conceptions, and Sense of Place

“If you don’t know where you are, you don’t know who you are.” - Wendell Berry

Being a senior in college majoring in supply chain management, I have sat down multiple times to try to depict what my true Sense of Place is. Where I am. What attachments create me. What dependance encompasses my life. What identity fills my void. Through long reflections and findings that describe who I am, one idea has constantly showed its roots to be the answer of it all- people. 

One of my favorite things to do is to go to music festivals. The music. The people. The comfort. Nothing feels more natural than getting splotches of dirt all over your pants because all you want to do is sit down and feel the music run through your body. Pulsating through the roots and into your spine. Sitting there feeling comfort and turning around and having endless conversations with someone you met five minutes ago. The people create the music. The people bring the comfort. And the people create my Sense of Place.

Forbidden Kingdom Music Festival 6/24/21.

Entering my colloquium course at my university, I had several preconceptions that led my mind to think the course was simply about the environment. My members had different pre-conceptions of it being about the planet, our university, and simply conversations. So what is colloquium? Colloquium is the people. The planet. The university. The conversations. 

Colloquium is the gathering of ideas. Ideas generated from medical majors to engineers to teachers. It’s the gathering of people and people’s ideas. The focus of the environment draws it all. 

So what do I hope to learn from this? I hope to gather the ideas, opinions, the point of views of other people. I hope to strengthen my Sense of Place. Strengthen my ideas of people and the environment. Grow who I am as a person and grow others. I hope to connect my future learnings from conversations, from people, and from the environment to figure out further my own self. To take my learnings and apply it to my future company that I run the operations for one day. To open my preconceptions of other people until I have none. I hope to connect what I learn to bring comfort. 

Colloquium isn’t just the people, the planet, the conversations. It is the base to anyones Sense of Place. With continued learning, we can all figure out where we are, and thus, who we are.

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Sometimes it’s better to move on than to hold on to a person who doesn’t understand you. Your absence will teach what your presence can not.

Unknown (via deeplifequotes)

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Trust me, you get what you give.

Unknown (via deeplifequotes)

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Don’t ever let someone make you feel like you’re crazy for wanting what you deserve.

(via deeplifequotes)

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The worse part is when you know you have to move on.

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"His name is Noah. I dated him once, not too long ago. He was the nicest and best looking boy you ever saw. He treated everyone well unless you gave him a reason not to, and you could trust him pretty well. He wasn’t the type of person to let you down. We liked each other a lot, probably even loved. But those feelings are gone now. At least on one end of the relationship. We were great together, he and I. He used to lean into my face and make strange noises and tickle me, and I’d laugh like we’d never end. He was in a band too. They played my favorite kind of music and I’d visit them at practice and he’d be in the corner strumming his guitar with his tongue hanging out and his eyes on the ceiling. He wrote me a song once, a song about how the stars were in my eyes and how he’d love me forever and everything. I had to wrestle the crumpled paper out of his hand, he was so embarrassed. He’d look at the ground and glance up at me every so often when he was embarrassed. It was real easy to tell. He wouldn’t look me in the eyes when he brought me flowers on my birthday. I took them and smiled into the reds and yellows and he told the ground that the colors reminded him of me and my dyed red hair. I saved those flowers for as long as I could before the reds turned brown and the stems drooped. I remember crying my eyes out the days leading up to the end of us. I remember hurting myself and thinking that I was a goddamn idiot to do anything to make him want to let me go. But it was an accident. I really didn’t mean to push him away. Something in me’s always been broken and I guess he finally couldn’t take me any longer. He threw me away like I did to the bouquet, waiting for me to completely wither before he realized that you can’t keep dead flowers in a vase.”

My “Write-like Catcher In The Rye” essay. (via oovveerrtthhiinnkkiinngg)

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Absolutely Nothing Once on a yellow piece of paper with green lines he wrote a poem And he called it “Chops” because that was the name of his dog And that’s what it was all about And his teacher gave him an A and a gold star And his mother hung it on the kitchen door and read it to his aunts That was the year Father Tracy took all the kids to the zoo And he let them sing on the bus And his little sister was born with tiny toenails and no hair And his mother and father kissed a lot And the girl around the corner sent him a Valentine signed with a row of X’s and he had to ask his father what the X’s meant And his father always tucked him in bed at night And was always there to do it Once on a piece of white paper with blue lines he wrote a poem And he called it “Autumn” because that was the name of the season And that’s what it was all about And his teacher gave him an A and asked him to write more clearly And his mother never hung it on the kitchen door because of its new paint And the kids told him that Father Tracy smoked cigars And left butts on the pews And sometimes they would burn holes That was the year his sister got glasses with thick lenses and black frames And the girl around the corner laughed when he asked her to go see Santa Claus And the kids told him why his mother and father kissed a lot And his father never tucked him in bed at night And his father got mad when he cried for him to do it Once on a paper torn from his notebook he wrote a poem And he called it “Innocence: A Question” because that was the question about his girl And that’s what it was all about And his professor gave him an A and a strange steady look And his mother never hung it on the kitchen door because he never showed her That was the year Father Tracy died And he forgot how the end of the Apostle’s Creed went And he caught his sister making out on the back porch And his mother and father never kissed or even talked And the girl around the corner wore too much makeup That made him cough when he kissed her but he kissed her anyway because that was the thing to do And at 3 A.M. he tucked himself into bed his father snoring soundly. That’s why on the back of a brown paper bag he tried another poem And he called it “Absolutely Nothing” Because that’s what it was really all about And he gave himself an A and a slash on each damned wrist And he hung it on the bathroom door because this time he didn’t think he could reach the kitchen.

Perks of Being a Wallflower (via palpallie)

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My first fanfic/ imagine, I hope you like it xoxo

YPOV

It was such a cold wintery dark night, yet I was here on the balcony to our hotel apartment watching the fireworks in the distance as the waves crashed on the shore. I heard Justin on the phone talking in the background, Justin was my aunt’s...

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I don't think you realize how difficult it is to forget about someone