Field Journal

Day One

Date: Saturday, April 15, 2017

Time: Observation Started at 18:37 hours, until 19:07

Location: The observation was done at West Park in Allentown P.A. West of Linden Street and West Turner Street N 15th Street. It is located near Lehigh Valley Hospital, 17th and Chew site. William Allen High School, The Allentown Fairgrounds. West Park is also known for having Concerts and events like The Municipal Band of Allentown.

Observer: I was the only one present during the observation.

Habitat: As you enter there’s a concrete pathway that circles around the park. If you walk about 100 feet toward the right side of the park, there’s a band stand where local municipal bands perform. Green grass covers most of the park, broken branches and dead leaves on the ground. Tall trees with and without leaves. These trees have labels with plaques that identified the types of trees they are. To name a few, Japanese Oak, Red oak, Canadian Maple and Sycamore. One big tree with twisted roots stood in the center of the park. The most prominent feature of the park is the fountain. Some people strolled through the park.

Weather: The weather was sunny and breezy. The temperature was 64 degrees, no humidity. The sky was clear.

Remarks: My mind was racing, there are bills to pay, doctor’s appointments to make, laundry to do, etc, I felt overwhelmed, but I had to focus. After some time I relaxed.  As I observed, I notice how calming the environment was. The trees swayed in the soft, spring breeze. The water in the fountain splashed lightly. The birds chirped from a nest in the tree and the squirrel’s dances on the grass.

Comments: As a single mother, I am very busy, with the children, work, and school. I learned that this assignment is what I needed. A chance to sit and meditate in a beautiful park on a warm, breezy spring day. I realized, I need time for ME! I love spending time with my children, but I also need time to relax and unwind. I will be visiting this park again to have some quiet time.

 

                                 

               

                    The Band Stand                      Tree with nest and birds

         

                       Nest                                                    Plaques on the tree

                     

                                            Fountain

Day Two

Date: Sunday, April 16, 2017

Time: 14:03 hours to 14:40 hours

Location: West Park in Allentown P.A. on the Linden Street entrance.

Observers: I was the only one present during the observation

Habitat: When you walk into the park from the Linden street entrance, you encounter a huge bell. This bell is the old Franklin fire house bell. The bell was donate by the city to West Park Association. There’s Green grass covers most of the park, broken branches and dead leaves on the ground. Tall trees with and without leaves. Squirrel scampering around the grounds. A dog laying on the grass as his owner talks with someone. A child and her mother playing hide and seek by the tall tree.

Weather: Partly cloudy and sun. There were some cirrus and cumulonimbus clouds in the sky. The temperature was 68 degrees. No humidity.  

Remarks: I was determined to really relax and enjoy my surroundings today, so I came prepared with a small blanket, as I spread it under a tree, I realized that I had attracted of a squirrel. A red- colored squirrel. I’ve never seen a red squirrel. He rose up on his back legs and stared at me for a few seconds then scampered away. Once again, I could hear birds chirping, child laughing and playing; and water tinkling in the fountain. In this part of the park, there was a scent of the flowers and trees. It was refreshing.

Comments: For this observation, I didn’t allow my mind to dwell on the thoughts of daily matters. I took in the beauty of the sky and clouds, the sweet scent of the flowers; and the soft feels of the spring grass. I realized that mediating in an environment like this is very soothing.

                                       

I sat under this tree to observe

Personal Account: Monday, April 17, 2017

This assignments is just what I needed. I learned that life is short and I need some time to regroup and unwind. Sitting quietly in this park help me to pay more attention to nature, how peaceful it is; in the midst of chaos. I’ve learned that I truly have the mental power to block out the thoughts of daily, pressing matters. There’s so much beauty around us and I need to slow down and enjoy it.

Campus Resource

   The campus resource I chose was the Hope Food Bank. After speaking to several students, I found that many are struggling due to the fact that tuition has risen, while financial aid has fallen. Many students have to chose between books and necessities like food. Studies show that a lack of focus and loss of energy are some of the negative effects that can occur when the body is not receiving proper nutrients. So having this resource will help students out.   

    Northampton Community College offers the Hope food bank. I interviewed Kimber Rohner, the food banks coordinator. She stated that students "should not have to go hungry in order to stay in school" so the food bank was founded by the nursing program, opened in September of 2016.  The name Hope means, Helping Our Peers Excel. This food bank is located at Penn Hall, room 122 A. The food bank is opened twice a month, from 1pm to 5pm. All Northampton Community College students are welcome. There are variety of food and items like cans of tuna, chicken, soups, canned vegetables, fruits, rice and pasta.  You can also choose basic necessities. This is a great resource for someone who needs it, so please utilize it. Volunteers are welcome, all you have to do is walk in and sign up.

Home Is Where The Heart Is

 

Home is a place where there’s plenty of laughter, smiles and hugs. Where my family and I can feel safe and secure. It’s a place where I can share my happiness as well as my sadness. Where you can help each other as a 

My apartment building where I grew up (second one to the right) 

family. It does not matter how big or small your home is, what matters is the love it holds. It’s where you feel warm, a place to make memories, see your children grow up and a place where you can grow old. In my life, I have been blessed to experience different places in which I call home. For instance, my parent’s house where I grew up. I remember the smells coming out of my mother's kitchen and the loving smile she would give me when she saw me. When I am there, I feel safe and I feel like a child again.

Education

P.S 123

My educational experiences started at the age of  five, I went to Head Start. I remember my teacher Mrs. King was a warm, soft spoken teacher that cared for her students. In Head Start we learned the early concepts, our alphabet, numbers and peer interaction. At the age of 6,  I attended P.S. 123 elementary

Middle School/ J.H.S. 162

school located  in Brooklyn N.Y. There I learned how to read and write, all the basic things we learn in school. The teachers in this school were amazing, they truly took their time to help any student who was struggling             academically. I struggled with reading and was given one on one tutoring for about six months. My reading improved over time and  I was on grade level by the end of  year.
 

I then graduated to middle school, J.H.S 162. There is where I met Mr. Holub, my English teacher, which gave me the appreciation of books and reading. I went there for 4 years and graduated at the end of 9th grade.

High School

When I entered high school, I was very excited. I was accepted into Clara Barton High School for nursing. My teachers were very caring and helpful. I remember when I first dissected a piglet.” OMG,” is what I thought, Do I really want to become a pediatric doctor. The teacher once again were helpful, they talked me through dissecting the pig. Eventually, I decided to change my profession and  become a teacher. I spoke to my counselor and she changed my classes to regular ed. At the end of my senior year, I was ready for college and to further my studies. I took some time off to raise my children. Now that my children are older, I decided to go back to school. I am currently enrolled at Northampton Community College to pursue an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. I am looking forward to the future and what’s to come.

Meet Sarah

Sarah Frailey is eighteen year old young women who lives in Northampton County with her mother, father and 3 sisters. She currently works for Chick-Fil-A part time. Sarah was home schooled till the age of seventeen and had group socialization once a month. Sarah enjoys reading classical books, playing board games, taking pictures of nature and going once a year on vacation with her family. Another activity she enjoys is playing the piano. Sarah has been taking lessons for nine years though she stopped this past year due to the fact that she has a job and going to school. She still enjoys playing music because it's a way to reduce stress.

Sarah also traveled to Connecticut with her family. One of her personal favorites was visiting Mark Twain’s House and the Museum in Hartford. Ireland is a place she would like to travel. She has an interest in the scenery, landmarks and historical sites.

      After transitioning from home-school to what she calls the “real world”, she realized that she enjoys going to school full time and the daily peer interaction. Sarah dreams in obtaining her Associate’s in order to pursue a four year college degree and, eventually, become either a preschool or kindergarten teacher.

What drives this young woman to follow her dreams is the fact that she volunteers at a Sunday School in her church called Whitehall Bible Fellowship working with children in her congregation. Her continuous faith is to please God and serve Him as well as to be the best in life and what it has to offer.

It was a pleasure interviewing Sara for I realized we have a lot in common in regards to our faith and family values.