researching and the library

Where to start with the library......well, I was lost the first time I walked in to the library. Thousands of books, all stacked in identical rows...it can get confusing. Starting out my research I did feel a little lost, but I must say, it has gotten alot better. After searching for sources using the addison search and actually finding the books, I have a better sense of confidence in my resource finding abillities. I've found several books so far that pertain to my topic, all in the same general section of the library(imagine that). Although I did have luck finding pertinant books, none of them are specifically on my community, they are all just related in one way or another. The databases have allowed me to actually find resources that actually are on EWB, my community. So.....so far the source stack is piling high, and its about to grow even more as I am heading to the library right now......

My interview and site visit

So my interview went extremely smoothly and will be crucial in my research material for this community. I interviewed the current president of Engineers Without Borders (EWB). She was excited to be a help in my research and provided me with valuable information. The reason I chose her to interview is because she is high in the ranks and is very informed and connected with the community on all levels. Also, she is a student, so knows what its like to be involved as an undergrad. I began with simple, factual questions such as "How long have you been involved?" and "How long have you been president?" just to get a background. Then the meat of the interview came......which was very meaty if I say so myself. I entered with a set of ideas about the community but left with an insider's view and a completely altered idea of what EWB was. The community as a whole is much tighter than I thought, but also acts internationally and allows it members to have valuable professional connections abroad and nationally. Overall from my interview I got how the community functions and what it does for its members. My site visit went equally as well. I got to see the workings of EWB and got to sit in first hand on the group interactions. I was involved in the relationships and business aspects of the group. Some words that I jotted down were:
Helpful, volunteer, attention, projects, intimate, smiles, input/change, brainstorming, side conversations, and sustainability
just to name a few. I caught up on some of the terms and "language" of the group also. Both were valuable and I hope to continue contact with my interviewee for any followup questions I may have while doing further research

Interview questions

1. How long have you been involved with EWB?

2. What about EWB drew you to the organization?

3. Do you have to be an engineer to join?

4. What do you see as EWB's role on campus? off?

5. How does everyone participate in the group? Are there various levels of participation?

6. Does EWB stay isolated or work any with any other groups?

7. What are the most recent projects?

8. Describe the typical meeting.

9. What is your role as the president?

10. Is it a more structured organization or is it more lose in how things run?

11. What do you enjoy most about EWB?

12. Is there anything else about the community as a whole you see as important?

Course goals

For me, it was simple to think of my course goals. I have always been a more technical, systematic writer, so my goals involve becoming more creative and fluid.

1. Write with more vivid details- I want my work to jump of the page and in to the readers mind. I want the details to create a perfect mental image for the reader.

2. Write more fluid connected sentences- I don't necessarily mean write longer or shorter sentences, I just want them to flow through the paragraph and connect well, because mine tend to be kind of choppy.

3. Accurately depict my community from the communities perspective.

4. Use more active voice rather than passive.

The Skillet King

I didn't catch his name as I approached the tailgate, but his face stood out. He was an older man, around fifty, with combed over salt and pepper hair, and thick dark mustache, and thick features making him appear very jolly. The game was still hours away, but that did not stop this group of Hokies from showing their spirit and enjoying each others company. Buffet lines were set up, with treats from cookies to fruit salad. Two older men were playing washers, laughing with each other while still secretly hoping to beat the other; it was friendly competition. A group of three middle aged wives were gossiping about the latest news around town while sitting in green fold out chairs. Overall, about fifteen or so Hokie fans were striking up conversations and enjoying the game day atmosphere. This older jolly man stood out from the rest. As the rest of the group was enjoying the day, he stood diligently in his denim cooking apron, and manned the skillet. He toiled over his work, cooking up eggs, bacon, and country ham. This food was the grand finale of the buffet line. Country ham and eggs with Hardees buscuits capped off the assortment of food. The "Skillet King", as I call him, stood cooking so proudly that is showed in every wrinkle of his smiling face. Not concerned with the other tailgaters, he focused on his contribution to the tailgating community. Seeing his pride, I was almost drawn to go speak with him to see what he had to say. So I approached him and he said, "Grab a biscuit and get you some country ham!"

Friday Groupwork

Friday in class we continued discussion on truth, and how we know things to be true. We all agreed in my group that knowing something is true requires strong evidence, and often times requires a faith. Truth can be based on evidence or faith. There are truths that come from physical, factual evidence, then there is truth that comes from belief and faith. The former is more of a physically bound truth and the latter is based on mind and emotion. We also decided one of the biggest points with truth is that it is relativistic. Every human being has their own truths, based on surroundings, beliefs, and individual experience. When discussing truth, the topic of opinions comes in to play. My groups opinion on opinions varied somewhat. This is where our views varied slightly. Some believed that all opinions are true, while I believe that all opinions are valid, but not all of them are true. Everyone is entitled to their opinion....but that doesn't mean that it is right. Another large point we discussed was the division between fact and truth. Facts are always true, but truths are sometimes debatable. Truth can be debatable when others disagree with it based on their vision of what is true. Sometimes even, a truth to someone can be proven to be false.

At the end of the discussion we came up with this list of how we know things to be true:
It can be supported by factual evidence
We experience it to be true
Evidence for the truth is relevant and pertinent
Truths are universally accepted

So recently we have been searching for a community that not only has to fit the criteria for the research, but also one that we find interesting. When I learned of the criteria for the community: researchable, googleable, visitable, national etc. I thought it would be hard to find one. So I began listing off things I enjoy. Engineering, sustainability, the outdoors, traveling, and friendships. Choosing a community that pertained to one of these activities would have been easy enough with some searching, but then something strange happened. It's almost like my community found me. I received an email about Engineering Without Borders. It's engineering, sustainability, travel, service, and friendships all in one community. It was perfect for me.....so I found my community for the semester: Engineers Without Borders.