In case you can’t hear me over the background noise
1. Why you chose the place;
Because of the view of the mountain line and the city of Kamloops. It made me feel optimistic, like I could achieve great things. It was also very conveniently right by my friend’s dorm rooms and my parking lot. So, I had already made a previous connection with the place I chose. Not to mention CAC is my favourite place to study because of the ambiance, so naturally after I was done sitting at my place I would go sit in the CAC to write my report. I also figured that it would be easy to connect my place to the learning concepts in class because there were dorms, roads, cars, people, and a café surrounding me.
2. What you have enjoyed about connecting with it;
Noticing all the things I usually would not have if I were to just pass through like I often did. I had the time to stop and take in the beauty around me, smell the crisp air, and just relax. I also enjoyed being able to hear more and more bird calls as we are approaching springtime. I also enjoyed noticing the smiley face of one of the mountainsides.
3. Which course theme/term idea you found easiest to connect to it and what that connection was;
The agriculture unit: (likely because we took our time on it)
Firstly, my place connects to Commercial Agriculture – the process of growing food to enter the global food market (growing food to feed cows, or growing corn to be used as biofuels, etc.). With Canada being a core country, we support this capitalist system of unsustainable farming. I cleaned up a Lays chip bag from under my picnic table last week, these chips were likely produced in mass using the technique of unsustainable farming. The sad reality is that for many university students, or Canadians in general we support this system. These food products are often sold at cheaper prices than the sustainable organic options. With food prices on the rise many of us have turned to cheaper products. The cafes on campus will likely buy the cheaper alternative to keep their own products affordable. Therefore, it is very difficult to not support this unsustainable farming system, not only on campus but worldwide. An example would be Common Grounds – that is situated just behind me – using Tazo tea, a commercial tea company, if they bought sustainably sourced tea, it would not have the same taste, potentially deterring customers and it would be considerably more expensive.
I also connected my place to the concept of agricultural revolution and industrialization. The idea that industrialization brings urbanization, leading to a need to transport materials and food into these places. TRU is situated in the city of Kamloops. Kamloops has a railway system that would have allowed for rapid delivery of products, making Kamloops a very desirable city. Sitting here at my place even now I can see how large of a city Kamloops is, generating a large demand for food. With a large demand of food there is a need for better transportation. Because of this Kamloops has well developed roadways, an airport, and a railway. Similarly, at TRU there are many roadways and parking lots for the food trucks to supply the cafes with the food and supplies they need to operate. Industrialization, urbanization and agriculture are all tightly interconnected, this is why food prices are on the rise, because of the increased gas prices.
4. One thing you are grateful to your place about;
I am grateful for the space and time I was provided with to just relax and take 5-10 minutes to just recentre myself and breathe before I began pondering my place and how it connected to the course material.
5. One reason that your place might feel grateful for you.
I have always entered my place with a calm and grounded attitude, usually taking the time to really appreciate where I am and the landscape around me. I’ve been able to reflect upon the nature and people that were on this land before me and grow a deeper appreciation for it through my connecting with place activities.
Overall, through this activity I was able to grow a greater appreciation for TRU and my sense of belonging on this campus.
