Jan 20
Reflection for class: An adventure on a beautiful winter day
I went outside around my home and at school to do my scavenger hunt for the class. I noticed many differences, in the types of trees around, the animals, the amount of things that were from nature vs. human-made, etc.
On my first day, I noticed a lot of the snow, and smelled of the cold. If there was a way to describe the smell of cold, I would try and describe it as brisk, cold, and fresh all in one, with the smell of something but also of nothing. I understand that this description would make absolutely no sense to someone who has not experienced cold weather and the snowfall, as the smell of the cold is something that only really comes then. You could find a close comparison as to when you open the door to a freezer, however, often with the freezer comes the smells of the contained foods.
I noticed as well, plants that I have seen unfrozen, and how they were when they were frozen, like in this picture. I noticed how thin each piece is, also wondering, since they are still green, if the plant is still alive.
I wonder, what goes on inside the fir this comes from when going from Fall to Winter. I wonder, if that piece would discolour when it loses life or if it remains the same coloration. It reminds me of needles, but also of uncooked pasta, specifically spaghetti.
I then noticed this tree, without leaves, but with a few frozen fruits in it.
I noticed how delicate the branches look, then took a piece of fruit in my hands and wondered, are these fruits hard during the summer? Are they edible? Would they make me sick? And I felt like from up close, the fruit resembled a minuscule brain.
On my second day of adventuring, I went to the Algonquin college campus, and I noticed a vast difference, as there seemed to be a lot less animals. There were small birds, yet many of the animals must be staying elsewhere to hibernate or during the colder months. It was maybe easier to find things to capture, yet hard to find objects that were from nature and not human-made.
I found two locations I would love to climb. First, this tree.
I noticed this tree had several branches that I am sure would facilitate the climb up. I wondered though, if it would be safer to climb it in the summer, since the tree is currently resting and frozen. The tree’s branches reminded me of that tree in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
And second, this section of a building.
I noticed how there was room for hand holds and foot holds on each window. I wondered if I could climb it without shoes, and it reminded of a professional climber I follow on instagram, Alexis Landot, who climbs massive skyscrapers without a rope.
I also found this square/rectangle shape on campus, which also resembled somewhere Landot would climb, and wondered if I could climb it too.
Finally… here are some of my drawings for something that begins with my name, a quiet spot to study (that is outdoors and filled with snow at the moment) and a leaf on a tree!
With the seat, I noticed that as it is outdoors, it must be extremely nice to study there during the Fall, Spring, or Summer. I wondered how the wifi may reach that table, and how many students can do their work there. I also wondered if the sun beams on that table or if it would be comfortable, and if the laptop screen would be easy to see. It reminds me of when I was at the University of Ottawa, I loved their picnic tables.
The only thing other than asphalt that I could find with my name was a newspaper titled the Algonquin Times. I noticed that I never read the Algonquin times before, and I wondered what subjects were being discussed inside of it. I wonder who writes in it, if it is by students, if there are political discussions, etc. As someone who graduated with a B.A in International Relations and Indigenous studies, I am always seeking out those topics when I look anywhere. The front cover page (I couldn’t draw that much detail) had Indigenous women on it, and it reminded me of all of the art on campus that is Indigenous, and made me think of the community of Elders I am close to and cherish with all of my heart.
Finally, the leaf was from that tree with the frozen berries earlier. I noticed it looked crooked and a bit like a bat hibernating. I wondered then, how bats are doing now, where they are in their life cycles, and it reminded me of a cave adventure I went on with my two close friends last winter where we saw a bunch of bats just hibernating and sleeping. What a magical time.
