My project has been going well throughout this summer. With a few minor set backs and a end result that was unexpected this project has kept me happy and on my toes, just like the residents at Canterbury. I have been able to do what I wanted from the beginning of my project, only on a smaller scale then I was hoping for. In the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle ,by: Barbra Kingsolver, her family had their own idea of a project lasting throughout one year. Both, me and the Kingsolver family wanted to help other people from the beginning. But, as the project kept moving along it ended up having benefits for ourselves as well as others.
The main goal of my project was to help other people have a brighter day, and I believe I accomplished this by giving my time at Canterbury, as I've said in my previous blogs. Kingsolver wanted to help local farmers and organic producing farms rather then supporting industrial factories by buying massed produced foods from the grocery store. She accomplished this by growing her own food and buying from local farmers and the framers market near her home. She also helped others by writing her book to teach other people about the reasons behind her decisions. By doing this she has transformed other peoples food habits. I now know that I want to have my own garden and try to eat more locally produced foods, especially when I am older and buy my own food because for her book. I believe that both of us achieved what we wanted from our projects, hers on a greater scale then she originally imagined, and mine on a smaller one.
Not only did we both help others but we also helped ourselves in the process. During my project I have met many nice people and found a work ethic within myself that I never knew was there. This job has also helped me feel good about myself, that I'm a better person now and that really does make me feel good. Every time I walk out of that building I'm smiling and I feel good about what I did for the residents that day. Not only do I feel better about myself but I also have good recommendations for my resume and applications for future jobs and collages. Also, I like working at Canterbury so much that I think when I'm ready for a job I'm going to apply there. Kingsolver helped her family by having a greater understanding of where their food comes from and they are all more appreciative of the food they do have. Also, With their new diet her family is healthier by not having junk food in their diets. This project also saved them quite a bit of money for the food they were producing themselves.
Kingsolver and I have helped ourselves and others because of the life changes we've made. All of us have gained new outlooks on life and we have changed our lives forever. This is going to be a continuing "project" for us. I knew I would always want to help others but this project really pushed me to actually get out and do what I've always wanted to. Now that I have I wont go back to just dreaming of helping I will actually get out there and do it. I think this is how Kingsolver also feels. She had said in her book that making this change is something she's always wanted to commit to and now that she finally has she will never go back to the way she was living. Not that the way she was living before was bad but this way is just better.
I want to thank everyone who's continued to read my blogs and the people who have supported me throughout this. I also want to thank Mr. Wilson for giving us the opportunity to choose projects that interested us. This gave me the push I needed to get out there, do what I've always wanted and start what I feel I need to as I grow into my last two years of high school.
Thanks again for everything,
Melanie
