10 Ways I'm Trying to Be Eco Friendly

A few years ago, I decided to be more mindful about the environment and my part. Of course being on a budget, I couldn't do everything I wanted, but here's a few things that are fairly simple and cheap.

1. Using Bar Soap
I had use liquid body wash, but then I thought about all the plastic it uses. So, I decided to switch to bar soap. It's actually cheaper and lasts longer. It still has packaging, but at least it's not plastic container.

2. Glass Water Bottle
This not only is great for the environment, but it saves you easily $2 each time you refill! In Chicago, there's a water bottle tax, too. If you can get in the habit of bringing an empty one along wherever you go, it will save so much money! At conferences, they usually have a water station. At movie theaters, they usually have a drinking fountain. Less sugary soda to consume while you still indulge in movie theater popcorn! Here are places I know in Chicago that usually have free water fountains - usually found near the restrooms:

• Chicago Cultural Center
• Chicago Public Libraries
• Target stores
• Colleges and universities buildings
• Park district buildings and beaches
• Movie theaters
• Millennium Park
• Coffeehouses
• Lotus Cafe, Ghareeb Nawaz, Powell's Bookstore in University Village

3. Your Own Coffee Mug

Similar to the idea of your own water bottle, by bringing your own coffee mug to conferences or workshops, you'll save money, but also, usually be able to get more coffee than the small, plastic cups they provide. Some coffeehouses will even give you a small discount if you bring your own mug.

4. Own shopping bag

This is a no brainer, but I will say that I have a few and not all are created equal. Especially in the winter, I have one that actually was a gift and I think is a baby bag. The great thing is it's a heavy weatherproof bag, so when I have to set it down in the snow or wet pavement, it's fine. I have another bag that zips. I like this one because once on public transit my wallet was taken from a bag. Another great bag is one of the large, blue Ikea bags. This is great for toilet paper and other large, but light stuff. Lastly, I do like to carry around the cheaper and thinner bags in my backpack. Sometimes I plan for a grocery trip, and other times I don't. So if I carry one around all the time - it's there. Also, I keep one at work.

5. Recycling Pens, Sharpies

This could be harder, but at my university, the library has a depository that collects pens, highlighters,  and sharpies. All I have to do is save them and then bring them once and awhile to campus.

6. Sensitive Paper Shredding and Recycling

I have my own small shredder, but over the years I was finding I had a lot of paper that would take time and effort. At least in the Chicago area, I found Midway Moving Company that hosts free community shredding events. Usually, these are organized by your Ward's Alderman. They will shred it on site with a huge truck and then they recycle it.

Here's the link: http://midwaymoving.com/shred-a-thon/

7. Dry Erase Calendar

Instead of a paper calendar, think about using a dry erase calendar. This works especially if you don't need an archive of the calendar. However, if you do - you could always take a photo of the month to archive it.

8. Bullhorn with Rechargeable Battery

Think about spending another $10 with your bullhorn so you can get one with a rechargeable battery. This is great for environment, cheaper, and lighter, too! I got one from Pyro off of Amazon for about $50. Batteries are heavy and expensive.

9. Lunch Bag

I know some people use brown paper bags or reuse the plastic bag, but why not get a pretty cheap heavier lunch bag? One that can be washed or cleaned out easily. There's tons of options here - flat square ones, taller ones, and ones that zip or have a clasp. Definitely around August and September, there's a lot of them because of back to school season.

10. Divvy Bike

A few years ago Chicago got a bike share program called Divvy. Because I'm a student, I got a $20 discount for an annual membership. While I was usually using it between campuses, when the stations got extended, I now can do Divvy a lot more. And, it's much better to do the annual membership, because the 24 hour pass just increased to $10!

These are my top 10, so hope it helps. I'll try and post more when I think of them.

A Day at the Race Tracks - Arlington Race Track

I’ve never really wanted to go to a racetrack before, but I had the chance to go, so I took it. Just getting to Arlington Race Track is a different experience, since you either have to drive or take the Metra (the suburban commuter line). Going from Ogilvie Station reminded me of my college days. There were still the blue, “pleather” (plastic and leather) seats that flip. The Weekend Pass had gone up from $5 to $8, but still not bad.

About one hour later from downtown, we reached the track and found our way around. I’ve never gone to other tracks so I can’t compare, but it seemed like the ones on TV. The private party had a tent, but also a patio and entryway to a grassy area where you could get fairly close to the track.

There’s a variety of races – almost one every fifteen minutes to keep people engaged. You could place a bet with a person or at a self-serve station. I didn’t place any bets. Guess I wasn’t feeling lucky.

The lush green grass was soft and a nice natural playground for the kids running back and forth. We joked that we should place bets on them. A cute little Asian girl in a summer dress and hair in pigtails stood out. She was with her dad.

It was fun, and would go back again if friends really wanted to. Otherwise, I can check it off my “Illinois’ Bucket List.” Go #6!

Beach Day #7

Newly raked sand

Only joggers and dog walkers

Are around this early

I’m surprised

There’s so many people out

I’m not used to being out

I’m gaining so much more

Time getting up early

What a concept

I think of the days

I’d sleep until noon

Or take naps at 2 p.m.

They were nice

But the lost time

Can never be regained

Maybe that’s why older people

Wake up so early

They want to spend more time awake

Before they die.

Beach Day #6

Hot, humid Lake Michigan
Was before me
But this time
I was prepared

Walking up to the tent
The Aussie recognized me
"You're finally ready to do it?"
He asks

I smile back and say
"Yeah, it only took me three times
To think about it."
But, today was the day

Even though I could swim
I got a life vest
It hugged my chest
Tightly and securely

"Don't be afraid to fall in,
He said, "You probably will."
"It's fine,"
But I lied

I didn't want to fall in
Even though the water was much
Warmer than other days
I didn't want to - fail

He carried the board
To the lake for me
Offered some advice
Sit on your knees, then get on all fours - and stand

Sounded easy enough
But the lake was a bit choppy

At first I didn't think
I was getting anywhere
Was I going in a circle?
I began to have doubts

Eventually I made my way out
And decided it was time to try
And stand
Okay, you can do this

The width of the board
Was comforting
Plenty of room
I heard in my head, "Place feet here."

I began to stand
Wobbly, but upright
Paddle, damn it - he said it would be easier
When you kept paddling

I did
Wobble wobble
Left, right, left right
Crap, not going too well

For a few minutes
I was paddling
But then I sat back down
Licking my wounds a bit

But the summer heat and sun
Remained with me
I saw the lake shore from
A perspective I had never seen before

It was nice just being out

Sharing the Road; My Divvy Bike Experience

It’s been a year since I started Divvy, Chicago’s bike share program. At the time, I was looking for an easy, cheap, and quick way to go between UIC’s East and West Campus. Fortunately, the main buildings I went to had a station close by. The thing that sealed the deal was UIC’s Office of Sustainability then offered a $20 discount for students, too! So, that meant I could get a $55 for an unlimited, one-year membership. With a $7 day pass (now it’s gone up to $10), the one-year was a great deal.

My next big decision – what color helmet to get?! Done.

Some tips for new Divvy riders:

•      Ride in 3^rd gear;
•    Download the Divvy app, which shows stations and full/empty status;
•    Be mindful of pedestrians;
•    Save the Divvy phone number in your cell;
•    DO NOT ride your bike on the sidewalk, walk it – if needed;
•    DO NOT ride on Sheridan Road;
•    And, be mindful of your time.

I was pretty happy with Divvy during the school year. It definitely saved me time not using the bus, and it was fun riding a bike again. I hadn’t gotten on a bike since Germany.

Then, on June 1, Divvy significantly expanded their stations all the way to the north in Rogers Park! Very cool. There were two stations within two blocks from me.

The only thing that frustrates me is now the jockeying for road space. There’s cars, bikes, and foot traffic. Even with bike lanes, we all still need to look out for each other.

The other day, I was downtown, and I had just gotten on a Divvy. I walked it on the sidewalk and down to the street. The light was changing, but a pedestrian clearly thought he was going to walk in front of me, but couldn’t, since my bike was “in his way.” He gave me this look and motioned with his arms that “he was walking here.” However, I don’t see how, because there was traffic. He went behind me, then trying to still cross traffic against the light.

My first reaction was – what the hell? I was right, you were wrong. But, I tried not to let him ruin my summer, sunny day. He wasn’t worth it.

Beach Day #5

The sand molds to my butt
I bury my toes in deep
An anchor to the Earth

The water is so cold
That my legs are numb
My inside extremities are colder
Than I ever thought they could be

Kids are everywhere
I watch them
I see the parents
Who are playing with their kids

I see the parents who are texting on the phone

Lifeguards in
Play-like row boats
Stay the line

What am I watering- my sidewalk or my grass?

"Am I watering the grass or the sidewalk?" This is the reflective question I ask myself as I walk down the streets in my neighborhood. What am I doing with and in my life to water, feed, and nurture what needs to be nurtured? Or, am I doing things that - water my "sidewalk?" What is the concrete stuff in my life that I think I have to nurture, but really, the water either puddles up or runs off?!

This is a waste of water.

Journey Alone Now

I thought I was going to have
A partner on this journey with me

Someone who would
Compliment me
Be the in to my out
The day to my night

But it didn't seem
Like that's going to happen
We're too far apart
Hard to get back to each other

I tried
I think you tried
There were sessions
And self-help books

Thoughts that if we stayed together
One more month, year
It would work
Still

In the end
We both said
I love you, I'm sorry
Cried and hugged

Beach Day #4

Soft sand in places
I never thought it could be
Fine grains, I imagine
That I'm laying on gold

The sand molds to
All bodies
My body
My imprint

Sand in a box
Sand at a beach
Sand at an arts and crafts store
To be sold

As I walk back
The sand turns dry and gritty
On the pads of my feet
And blue, cheap flip flops

Space

Okay, okay – I will say it right away, I don’t mean space, like in Star Trek. That’s for another blog. I mean space, like the aisle airplane seat I gave up, when I was asked by an attendant coming back from Minneapolis to Chicago. After paying an extra $10 for a selected aisle seat, we were almost on our way, when I had a feeling that something was up, since an attendant was standing near me. The universe humbled me, after I thought – “Wow, you’re going to have extra room with no one beside you!”

Then she asked, “Would you mind scooting over. We have a situation.” A situation? What situation? “Is there another aisle seat I could have?” I asked. “Yes, but a few rows back,” she said. “Oh, nevermind, as I scooted over.” Her co-worker could tell I wasn’t too happy, and she brought me a bottled water and said, “Thank you for being so kind.”

Another gentleman then came down and sat in my seat. But was it my seat?

Sure, I paid for it. I expected it. I wanted an aisle. Ridiculous thoughts entered my head, such as – what if we crash, and the aisle sit lives, and the middle seated person dies? Or, this is a sign? Or, random reasons about the “situation.” Was it race related? Religious? I hadn’t heard of a fight. Why didn’t the guy move back to the further back aisle seat?

The only saving grace was the idea that I was a “kind” person. Good karma, I thought. Good karma. And, it’s okay if you don’t know about the situation. Trust the expert that it was needed.

I then took a few deep breathes and let it go.

Lost Years

I lost ten years of my life
Not sure where they went

Under my bed
Tucked in a pair of pants

I didn't think I cared
Until later

When I realized I was older
But felt younger than my age

I functioned
But I wasn't really
Alive

A Visit to Minnesota's History Museum

While visiting a friend in the Twin Cities, I looked to see what interesting there was to do. While this was not a “free” event as I had hoped (as a struggling student), I did think it worthwhile to check out the “WE ARE HMONG” exhibit at the St. Paul History Museum. My friend had not been to this museum, so it was a “win-win” for both of us. I had known that there was a large Hmong population in Minnesota, but embarrassingly, I really didn’t know a lot about the community and culture.

After parking, we walked into a fairly large, stone building. It seemed new, but we later learned it was built in 1995. We entered the extra large, glass doors. Sunlight filled the entryway, which we welcomed, since yesterday was cool and overcast.

With my student ID ready, my friend paid my admission and we got our typical metal, museum clip-on button. “Where is the Hmong exhibit?” I asked the staff person. We proceeded to the elevators and to the second floor.

Rainy Day

The rain comes
Like kitten paw feet
Pouring, not purring
Down on you

Unprepared without an umbrella
I try and wield myself
In and out
And around

Waiting inside
Going outside
The rain comes and goes
I dont buy an umbrella

I have five at home
I'll just wait it out

The eL is a short jog
Away I can make it

I enter down the stairs
Like I've reached the finishing line
Of a marathon race

Relieved,  tired.

Oh, Minn-uh-soh-tah

I'm visiting a friend in the Twin Cities. I hadn't visited for a few years. Things had definitely changed. First,  there's the light rail. There's different colors and everything. Then, there's clearly greater diversity.  I saw this in Target. Both in employees and in customers,  it was clear that there are new communities in this area.

I knew from other folks that the Hmong community had significantly increased. But,  I could also tell African and Muslims,  too.

My friend and I talked a little bit about this change. I wondered how folks were handing it. Social service agencies,  school systems,  etc. How did the "Minnesota nice" come into play?