"Time flies when you're... doing work, getting attacked by bugs, and hiking up muddy trails"

There were so many things that went on during these several weeks of the BITS program, too many to name in fact, but a few of the activities for example going to Wisshahickon Park and the PowerPoint presentation were the most important to me. Honestly, I did not think I would enjoy being in this program, at first I just saw it as a means to make money and maybe I would learn a few things. However, doing these program I have gained so much knowledge about new techniques, especially relating to computers. For instance I was introduced to two computer programs this summer, Google SketchUp and GoogleEarth. Both Google SketchUp and Google Earth were use throughout the program to show us different ways to view our environment and places we may not be familiar with. The computer programs we used were fun to play around with and were useful in someway, for example Google Earth was great way to locate certain places in the city. However, when it came to applying Google SketchUp to my PowerPoint presentation it became extremely difficult to use and create a recognizable image. After many attempts I found myself on the verge of giving up, though I did not give I did have to settle for a Skecth that was not my ideal model.

Google SketchUp really was sort of a road block for me but the trips to Wissahickon Park and creating a project based of the park made up for the trouble the program. It was not always fun walking and hiking in the sun on hot days, nonetheless really analyzing the Park and thinking of ways to improve it made the trips there wonderful experiences. My Presentation really benefited from the trips to the Park seeing that I was able to get a first look at the Park and gather my on opinion on the Park. Overall i enjoyed my weeks spent in the BITS program and I have learned a lot from my team members, my mentor, and the countless activities that really keep me busy this summer.

Pictures

Created with flickr slideshow.

Learning how to use sketch up.

Today we learned how to use sketch up and its okay I guess. I don't really understand how to use it that well like my other coworkers but it takes practice to make perfect. Were just playing around with it today and making things for fun. But there's something coming where we might have to use it in the future.

taylor lambeth.

Final Week

Today is the start of my last week in this program. I can honestly say I did not expect this when I applied here. I've learned so much in such short time. I think I will apply here next year because my experience here was so great. I have made great friends and the things I have learn will help me in the future. The final presentation is coming along nicely

Being at Temple for the past couple of weeks made me feel independent. Why being at Temple made me feel independent is because we had to learn all the diffrent place around temple by are self. A past couple of weeks are mentor Feng took us to a destanation which we did not no and had to retrace are steps. Retracing are steps actually turned out being fun because we knew are way back.

Final Presentation

Lately I've been working on my on my final presentation. This presentation includes My improvements to a particular area in the form of a: power point presentation, a tree paragraph essay, and a sketchup drawing. This final presentation has to be done right so I can present it in front of press. I'm almost ready, I just need to put the finishing touches on th projeect.

The Ending Week

The first reaction that i got when i got here was, like so what is the school ? Because we were all separated in different groups. I was under the impression that we were about to do renovation or something like that. But in the end we turned out to be doing a Go Green project with the BITS program. I also met new people here learn how to manage my money , and arrive to work on time. I also made new life time friends like co-worker Taylor , who i text every morning to make sure she comes to work on time. From the hot grueling weather in the Wissahickon park to the cold Tutleman building. This has all been a life changing experience preparing me for the troubled economy.

Nerves of Steal

The bitS summer programs started about a month ago, an I would say that I have gotten accustom to seeing the people in my group everyday. However, the day my group had to present our PowerPoint projects to each other I found myself a little to nervous and rattled. Public speaking is a very common fear but I did know my fear was that intense, though the faces in front of me were familiar I felt as if I was speaking in a crowed room full of strangers. In fact there were only about ten or twelve people in the room... I guess my nerves made me delusional as well as shaky(lol).
To prepare for the presentation I had to give I wrote out all of the things I planned on saying, and little notes to myself to mentions things I did not get a chance to write down. In theory that was probably one of the best ways to aid myself, however, that idea failed almost entirely seeing that I was even to nervous to read my paper with without shuddering and stammering. Hopefully with more practice and preparation the next time I have to present this PowerPoint project, it will not go so badly as my first attempt.

Mud and worms and spiders OH MY!!!

Though, I am very aware bugs and mud are apart of nature I am not sure if I want to be apart of their icky and honestly gross playground. The past few times we went to Wissahickon Park, our group traveled mainly on pavement or grass, only encountering a few bugs and mud patches. However, yesterday was a COMPLETELY different experience, our group went threw actual wooded areas with gooey spots the was posing as ground which made the hike up the steep rocks just a tad bit harder. As we climbed and attempted to keep up with the entire group, trees and shrubbery seem to attack and smack us as if they were Venus fly traps. To say that the trip through the trails was fun would be a complete lie, it was a sweaty dirty journey that I would never like to go through again. However, if being one with nature is something you would like to experience i would definitely recommend traveling to the Wissahickon Trails.

The Wissahickon woods

Hiking in the Wissahickon woods was very exhausting. Its was a very hot day so it was tough getting up the steep hill. The thing that i mostly relied on was my water which was my life saver. It was dangerous if you where not looking to see what you're walking on because you can easily trip over and hurt yourself. There was also a chance of getting dirty because of the mud puddle that's on the trail. There is a lot of improvements needed to be made in order to make the park better.

-M.I.A