'Throwback Thursday'...

 ...even when it's no longer 'a thing'.

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by PAM

I've just been watching this TV movie where a 'city girl' - a 'senseless one', if I may say so, was 'thrown' in the wilderness by a job-related project.  She was thrown-in in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of outdoorsy people who, like her, were competing for a contract with an app developer who organized the 'wilderness throw-in'. She was doing so badly... and it's annoying how she was always insanely hysterical at every turn in the wilderness, which, by the way, was so breathtakingly beautiful.  There was a good-looking guy in the bunch... and, predictably, he took notice of Ms. Hysterical.  And, predictably, she was annoyed at first by his guts and confidence... but eventually, his charm and consistent good nature won her over.  Not that I am not complaining... because I am.  Uhm, yes, that's right, I am complaining!  She doesn't deserve him!  Uh, yeah, I know... it's just a TV movie!

But what's my point?  I do have a point, see. 😅 In one of those scenes where the story belabored the point of how the 'opposites', Ms. Hysterical and Mr. Cool Outdoorsy, slowly fell for each other, they were crossing a gorge through a hanging bridge.  Mr. CO was guiding Ms. H (whose eyes were shut close... what do you expect? 🙄) along the bridge.  And then, he paused in the middle of the bridge to admire the beautiful view.  Ms. H opened her eyes, and gasped... taken by the beautiful view, too.  But, of course, she had to ruin the moment by her 'hysterically impressed' reaction. 🙄

A little part of the Boise River
viewed from the Bob Gibb Friendship Bridge
at the Boise State University campus.

I know, you must be asking - again, "so, what's your point?" Hang on, 'cause I'm not here just to bash Ms. H.  I do have a point. Hmm... actually, I have a related story to tell.  Back in AY 2021-2022, I was in a Humphrey Fellowship at Pennsylvania State University ('Penn State').  While in the Fellowship, I had a great opportunity to travel around the US again. I chose to go to some of the places that I haven't been before, and joined events that I have not experienced before... and I loved it!  One of my favorites is my prolonged stay in Boise, ID.  I did a part of my Fellowship there, specifically in Boise State University (BSU), where one of my sisters used to work.  I loved it there!  It's the closest thing to a real 'happy marriage' between the preserved beauty of nature and urban living.  My sister's home, where I stayed, in the four trips that I took to Boise while in the Humphrey Fellowship (twice on vacation with my sister and her husband, and twice on official Humphrey Fellowship business) is located just several hundreds of footsteps from the BSU campus.  In the opposite direction from the campus, several hundred steps away, is downtown Boise.  There are several parks and points of interest in between... and that was why I loved walking to and from the campus... and taking a walk downtown during lunch breaks or before walking home.

"Boise is located in the Treasure Valley, along the Boise River.

The word 'boise' is French for 'wooded', and the name likely originates from 

French Canadian travelers who named the area Boise because it was a rare

wooded valley in the context of high desert area."

One of my favorite walking trails from the campus, specifically, from the library, to downtown and back is through the Bob Gibb Friendship Bridge across the Boise River.  There was a long walking trail along the Boise River - the "Boise River Greenbelt", which ran from one region of the Boise City to another.  It is a famous walking, running and biking trail for the locals, including my brother-in-law who is an avid 'walker'.  The first time I walked along the Greenbelt and crossed the River towards downtown using the Bridge, it was between Fall and Winter time: Thanksgiving Break.  And, I was so astounded by the view of the mountains where the river seemed to appear magically, and then disappear again in the opposite direction. I frequented the trail and crossed the river through the Friendship Bridge, and the view took my breath away each time!  Mr. CO's reaction in the TV movie reminded me of my own reaction everytime I crossed the Friendship Bridge.  I took a few dozen photos and videos as well, especially when I was able to catch the sunset.  

In downtown Boise, the Capitol Blvd. where the Capitol is found at its end,
viewed from the Boise Depot on the hill.

When I returned to Boise for Christmas break, I was lucky enough to experience a beautiful white Christmas.  One of the highlights of my vacation was a sunset walk along the Greenbelt, crossing the river towards downtown together with my sister.  And, when I returned in springtime, I got curious, and the Bridge was the first that I visited as soon as I reached Boise... after eating lunch with my sister and brother-in-law, that is.  The view at the river, the surrounding lines of trees so green, and the mountains, was just breathtaking!  But what is most fascinating was that such sceneries can be found right smack in the middle of the City, and they bind the BSU campus with downtown Boise and the residential areas that were made so pretty by a huge variety of flowers.  I enjoyed that very much... along with all those friendly people in Boise that I had the great pleasure to meet, and some became friends. 

My 'I was there' photo, taken at the Boise Depot by my sister.

My longest stay in Boise was for five weeks, and it was towards the end of spring and halfway through summer.  Naturally, I went crazy!  Boise was so beautiful then... and the whole Boise was a-buzz with summer activities.  There are days when the City was quiet as most people would spend a long weekend, camping in the woods located in the outskirts of the City, or up the mountains.  I do think that it's a fascinating lifestyle, observing environmental sustainability and benefiting from it, too... and I loved it!  I wish to be back... and I hope that, next time, it will be for a longer period.

Did I make 'my point'?  Hmmm... I guess, not yet, huh?  Well, stay tuned then... more to follow!

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Video credit:  The owner of the video is indicated in the video credits.  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

Image credit:  All photos belong to me - I took them unless otherwise indicated.

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Saturday photo, er...

 ...I meant video!  Okay... and some photos, too.

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by PAM

Beyond the backyard...

The horses at the stable located at the 

Baker Institute for Animal Health

of Cornell University

One of the things that I love about living in Ithaca in Upstate New York is how one can be very close to nature.  There is always an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature whatever time of year... although winter can be truly harsh.  

An assortment of blooms in the 
Cornell campus in Ithaca, NY
during spring time.

This is the beauty of studying at Cornell University, too, specifically in its Ithaca campus.  Aside from it being an Ivy League... and, therefore, the quality of education is topnotch, the Ithaca campus is surrounded by nature in its unadulterated beauty.  The campus itself is beautiful:  dramatic in Autumn, surreal in winter time, deliciously pretty in spring, and totally smashing during summer time.  More than anything else though, the company of brilliant and fun students, and awesome mentors, was totally wonderful and unforgettable.  I spent five years in the Ithaca campus of Cornell as a PhD student in the mid 2000s.  I thank the Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture scholarship program endlessly for the opportunity... because those were some of the very best years of my life!      

So, in AY 2021-2022, I had the opportunity to return to Cornell.  This time, I return as a Hubert H. Humphrey (HHH) Fellowship grantee.  The HHH Fellowship Program is under the Fulbright Scholarship Program of the US Department of State.  It is a highly competitive program that is usually awarded to professionals in their mid-career or leaders who are ready to move up to more influential leadership roles in their field of work.  In my Humphrey Fellowship, I was primarily hosted by the Penn State University in State College, PA but I chose Cornell as the venue for one of my two six-week non-local Professional Affiliations. The other one is Boise State University in Idaho.  I couldn't be any happier! 

Enjoying a lovely spring time
evening, walking around East Hill
area of Ithaca, NY.

In Ithaca, I stayed at the eastern side of the campus... up a hill, towards downtown. The house where I stayed this time was the same house where I lived on my last year as a PhD student in Cornell.  Its location is adjacent to that of the Baker Institute for Animal Health of the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, which is recognized as one of the very best Vet Schools in the world.  The house has among the most beautiful views of Ithaca sunset, which gets dramatic during spring time because of the usually thick dark rain clouds that contrasted with the burning red-orange color of the sun as it sank in the horizon among the tall trees on the hills. It is absolutely lovely!  

Every single day, I was motivated to start the day well by the cheerful tweets of birds outside my window... and the gentle fingers of the rising sun that knocked on my window with its comforting warmth.  They brought smile to my lips as I prayed for that beautiful day that beckoned.  All day long, the horses at the stable of the Baker Institute grazed around the hills, and they usually wandered at the house's backyard.  I enjoyed watching them, especially the two most active ones who loved to run around.  They are the ones featured in the video above.  

Towards the end of the day, I put all my concentration on my work so I can eat dinner early with the kind family who owns the house... and relax as I watched the beautiful sunset at the backyard.  In the evening, I put on my walking/running shoes, put on my earphones, and pull down my favorite playlist on Spotify - mostly BTS music, of course!  I then joined some of our neighbors as I walked/ran a minimum of 4km, chasing the colors of the sunset fade into the night.  Perfect day for Namjooning, indeed!  

I usually went to bed every single night satisfied with my day... and happy that I got to rest well as I anticipated another lovely day to come my way in the morning.  Looking back, those days that were full of hope reminded me of my favorite line in one of the newest BTS songs, "Yet to come".  The line went, "dream and hope, and go forward - we're so about it!"  Yes, I am so about it, too!

Ahhh... Ithaca!  Take me back!  

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Video credit:  The video featured in this post belong to me.  I shot it for the sole use of this post.

Photo credit:  All photos used in this post belong to me.  I took and processed them for the sole purpose of this post.

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Saturday Photo + Namjooning

 

"Eternal Wind"

by Nobuyo Okuda

(Bachelor of Fine Arts,

Class of 1984, Boise State University)

Framing the Bob Gibb Friendship Bridge across the Boise River.

The Special Collections and Archives of Boise State University (BSU) keeps a data base of important materials and artifacts that make up BSU's history as well as that of Boise City, and the State of Idaho itself.  Among others, they keep a list of remarkable works of art that abound the campus.  One such remarkable work that catches attention when exploring the campus is the work of sculptor, Nobuyo Okuda, a graduate of the BSU School of Arts (BA Fine Arts, Class of 1984).

The work is composed of two half circles made of stainless steel, joined at a single point and supporting each other where they are joined.  The two half circles then extend gracefully beyond the point of full contact.  As such, it is a remarkably minimalist number that shows how geometry and physics are used in artistic creations but seems insignificant the first time one sees it... at least, by those who prefer things from the perspective of pragmatism and functionality.  However, as one studies the origin of the sculpture, one can fully appreciate its significance.  

The sculpture was donated by Robert Hay to BSU in honor of his wife, Janet Hay, who

"Eternal Wind"
with the Administration Building
of Boise State University.

served for three terms in the State of Idaho Legislature, representing Nampa; championing education as member of the Idaho State Board of Education.  As such, the sculpture is also referred to as "Janet Hay Memorial".  To pay tribute to Janet Hay's advocacy, Okuda created a piece that symbolizes the "student-teacher relationship" in teaching-learning process. Each half circle, which represents either the student or the teacher, stands incomplete and insignificant.  However, as the half-circles are joined fully at one point - in an education institution where learning takes place - they stand beautifully, completing each other... taking flight to extend gracefully to reach the other end... until one can no longer distinguish where the structure begins and where it ends, hence, the "eternal" nature of the relationship that they symbolize.  And, as they seem to move to reach each other in a circular motion, they generate "eternal wind"... in the same way that the effective teaching-learning process in an excellent student-teacher relationship can eternally generate useful information that is cultivated to bear knowledge... and nurtured to shape into wisdom.  Indeed, it is a beautiful symbol of student-teacher relationship and that process of teaching-learning... not just in an academic institution setting, but in life itself!  After all, we all have most beloved mentors in our lives... and in what we do in our vocations and professions... who guide us, inspire us and keep us motivated to do well.

To me, it is an added point that the "Eternal Wind" is located in a place where, at an angle from one side, the circle frames the "Bob Gibb Friendship Bridge", which connects the campus with downtown Boise that are separated by the Boise River.  From the opposite side, the sculpture serves as a circular frame for the Administration Building, which is quite remarkable, too.  The sculpture is also installed in a circular plaza between the Albertsons Library and the College of Arts and the Sciences where students can hangout.  I spent many hours reading in that plaza... or simply, namjooning, waiting for the sunset so I can view it from the Friendship Bridge where the sun's fingers spread across the river one last time in a given day as it sinks into the horizon.  Again, beautiful!

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Photo credit:  I took all photos in this post and processed them solely for this post. 

References:  Special Collection and Archives of Boise State University (news writer - Rachel Taylor, 2019); The Arbiter, 06 October 1999.

Footnote:  "Namjooning" - per BTS explanation, it is the "act of living as Kim Nam-Joon.  This includes taking walks through parks, admiring nature, hanging out with crabs, and having fun with friends" (Reference:  Click here.).  Kim Nam-Joon, also known as "RM" (short for, originally, "Rap Monster"), is the leader of the South Korean group, BTS.

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