Movie Review: Safe; 1995

            The movie Safe is not only dramatic but also an exquisite film. The main character, Carol White, played by Julianne Moore, has come down with allergic reactions to her environment. Carol meets with her doctor regularly who states she is perfectly healthy, but still Carol seems to find ways to cause herself to become sick. Her husband, Greg White, played by Xander Berkeley, does his best to take care of Carol. The movie takes a turn when she ends up at a community center where people have similar conditions to hers.  Here, Carol takes baby steps on how to cope with her illness. 

            Safe, makes people think about their own health and how being too concerned, can cause problems. When you find something that sets you off, it seems as though the whole world is ending and your immune system cannot be stopped from attacking you. In this case, Carol White finds herself allergic to her environment and it seems as if no one can help her. The only place she feels safe is at the community center where Carol moves to a more confined place, and learns how to adjust her problems and how to love herself better.

            The music in this film creates a sense of tension, intensifying what has happened to Carol. As the music becomes more riveting, Carol’s reactions appear to get more intense. The music makes this film more heart pounding to watch as we wait for something breathtaking to occur. Overall, this film keeps you on edge and makes you wonder why people want to make themselves sick. The music is a key part to this film and I think it helps the viewer to better understand Carol. 

The movie concludes on a cliffhanger where we see Carol talking into a mirror. In a sense, this scene relates to today’s lifestyle, in that we see how people are consumed with self-hatred, which causes them to be sick. The world today, is filled with self-hatred and the only way to solve this problem is to exchange self-hatred for self-loving.

Informative Essay - Ecology Project Internnational

Vanessa Lieberman

Ecology Project International

            Ecology Project International, (EPI) is an organization that educates students and teachers about conservation efforts; they do this through participation in conservation efforts, cultural exchanges, and infield science conducted at their research centers. The organization wants students to become educated and to share their experience. The organization depends on volunteers and infield research instructors. To become an instructor for this organization would mean that I could teach others about specific eco systems and help them gain a hands-on experience on how to have a positive impact on the eco systems. I could also share my experience with students from a variety of high schools, and hopefully encourage students to join EPI. Traveling with EPI to places like Costa Rica or Galapagos Islands can be costly and not every student may be able to afford these trips. I could work with EPI to help them raise money to create a special fund and work with similar organizations to create a scholarship fund that would support students who want to go, but who may not have the financial need.

            Ecology Project International began in the 1990’s (EPI website, 2015), when the co-founders Scott Prankratz and Julie Osborn were studying in Costa Rica. It occurred to them that there should be an organization that teaches students about different ecosystems while doing infield research. In May of 2000, (EPI website, 2015) the first group traveled to Costa Rica and the program was placed. The students who got to experience this, got to tag Leatherback turtles, count the eggs laid by the female leatherbacks, and if the eggs were too close to the ocean, the students would move them to a safer location on the beach. This was a start to a change that would make an impact in Ecology Project International; the organization was poised to grow and slowly increase their reach to high schools across the United States. Students began to be aware of issues and were soon dedicated to prompt protection of wildlife species.

            Becoming part of EPI means that leaders are active in ecological conservation. Ecology Project International instructors have a passion for the environmental and are willing to teach students and local residents about impacts that are affecting ecosystems. It is hands-on work and working alongside scientist, students are able to create an experience where they can share with their friends and families. These experiences help one to see the world differently and change the way to act toward the environment. A resident student, Milton Carbajal, from Costa Rica learned so much that she even made an impact on her family. “After the course, I had many conservations with my dad and my uncles. I have educated and motivated them to give up the tradition of eating turtle eggs. My father is very interested in coming to Pacuare with EPI and meeting the turtles for himself,” Milton Carbajal, Costa Rican student.

             Traveling with EPI, I gained a good deal of insight and became more aware of my impacts that affect the planet. Working hands-on with the Leatherback turtles in Costa Rica and with the Galapagos Tortoises in the Galapagos Islands, my eyes were opened and it made me realize that I want to educate others about the data I have collected and to share this experience. During both of these trips, I was able to visit local high school students and talk about what I learned and what they are doing to protect wildlife species.

            Ecology Project International lets high school students work with local experts to collect data on species and to learn about different ecosystems. The organization teaches the students about ecological systems where they stay, teach the students how to use scientific tools, and by doing all this, EPI is raising an interest in science and awareness. Traveling with EPI means working with a scientist in the field. Volunteering to be part of this amazing organization is costly. The programs can range between $1,000 to $6,000 (EPI website, 2015). This also depends on where students want to volunteer. Creating a fund for students and local residents would help them out. People who are willing to learn but do not have the financial funds, would be highly respected by Ecology Project International.

            Ecology Project International has made a vital impact in the places where they do work in. In 2012, EPI students volunteered over 1,660 service hours (Outside, 2013). This shows that a lot of students are dedicated to work in nature and with animals. These students include myself who are interested in learning how to protect species and to educate others about this topic. Opening up a fund would help those who are interested in working with nature and animals. Also creating fundraisers will raise awareness and the importance of taking care of the planet. Having fundraisers around the world, shows the EPI would be willing to expand their bases and have more schools become a part of their organization. With more schools involved, more students would be learning how to take care of this planet and learning how to protect their species. 

Besides being located in the United States and South America, EPI could create awareness in Europe, Australia, and Asia. Developing more bases around the world expands EPI as an organization, which shows people that they are willing to work worldwide. Providing a scholarship to become an instructor would let the world know that they are willing to help those who are interested in saving this planet. Looking to the future, Ecology Project International should consider creating funds for those who do not have the financial aid to participate in their programs and to be thinking about expanding their bases.

Reference:

"Local Communities." - About Us. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.

"Our Vision, Mission, and Goals." - About Us. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.

"Programs." Programs. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.

Rossignol, Kevin. "Profiles in Environmentalism: Ecology Project International." The Fill. 20 Apr. 2015. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.

"The Best Places to Work 2013." Outside Online. 31 July 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.

"Why EPI’s Student Travel Programs?" About Us. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.

Cover Letter Practice

Vanessa Lieberman

1130 Greensboro Lane Box XXXX— Sarasota, Florida 34234-5895
Phone: (XXX) XXX-XXXX — E-Mail: vanessam.lieberman@gmail.com

­­­Date: February 18, 2015

Wildlife Conservation Research Internship

Wildtrax Explorations

Okavango Delta, Botswana, ALL

Salutations Wildtrax Explorations:

In response to your advertisement, I am writing to apply for the Wildlife Conservation Research Internship. I am a junior at Ringling College of Art and Design and interested in working with environmental companies that share the same passion as I do for the environment and educating others about environmental issues.

Traveling the world and learning about different species is something of interest to me. In my junior year of high school, I got the opportunity to visit Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands. While visiting Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to work hands on with Leatherback Turtles and collect their data. In the Galapagos, I worked hands on with the Giant Tortoises. This type of experience changed how I viewed nature. I have become more aware and conservative about the environment.

I will be in touch with you in a week from today. You can also reach me at (XXX) XXX-XXXX or email me at vanessam.lieberman@gmail.com   

Sincerely,

Vanessa Lieberman 

Artist Statement: Interior Design and The Environment

Interior Design and The Environment

Visualizing the truth of the environment in art is difficult for people to view and understand. Seeing other artist that do this type of work or use recycled material in their artwork lets the viewer know they are passionate about the environment and want to influence the viewer. This is the type of work I aim to create. I want my work to influence the viewer and make them feel the need to make a difference in the world. I envision creating designs that will have an effect on the environment and I want to educate others about this type of interior design.

Becoming an artist never hit me until I took art in high school. In the art classes that I took, I developed not only skill, but also a passion to create and sketch ideas to communicate my goals. During high school I also took an environmental science class. In this class I learned about sustainability and how it can effect the environment for the better.

During my years in the summer of high school, I got to visit places and see how the countries conserve and preserve their materials. These places include Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands. Visiting these two countries, I got to see how designs influence the local people. I also got to talk to some of the students and listen to their jobs of what they wanted to become. Some of the students that I talked to could not do their dream job. I want to help others that create spaces which open up opportunity to take place and create jobs for people who are less fortunate then me.

In the realm of interior design, I want to work with animals. Whether it be working on habitats, in zoos, or working on environmental designs, I want my designs to have an effect on the planet. I aim to create designs that make an impact on wildlife and help people understand why these creatures are important in our world. I also want to make sure people understand that using the environment in design can be an advantage. Instead of tearing down forests or disrupting habitats, there are ways to use the environment without destroying it.

Looking farther down my path, the work I create, I want people to feel guilty and the need to take action. I intend to show people that there are other ways to see a positive side in art and not always showing the negative side of things in art. In my career my goal is to design buildings that use sustainable material which will show my passion and care for the environment. I want people to know that using the environment can be a plus. I aim to educate my clients about the environment and how it can be used in a sustainable way in design and architecture. I want my clients to learn about the materials I teach them so that they could have an understanding for the environment and want to take part in taking care of the planet too.