The Grand Atlantic

I have lived all my life near the Pacific Ocean. I spent many of my childhood days playing in the muddy banks of the Puget Sound and I would take any opportunity I could to make the long drive to the coastline. Some of my favorite days are spent on the beach climbing on the rocks and just sitting and staring at the waves.

I have always felt a strong connection to the ocean and this trip to Iceland is my first time in memory getting to see the mighty Atlantic. For some people this may not be a big deal but for me it is amazing to see another entire ocean. I feel an awesome sense of smallness but also comfort when looking at this cold, vast, seemingly endless ocean. I also feel a primal urge to explore when looking out at the waves. I find myself looking into every nook and cranny of the rocks and climbing on the huge lava cliffs to as high as I dare so I can get a better view of the waves. The coastline becomes a wonderland to me without me even realizing it. I better understand the Vikings and their never ending need to explore. The feeling the ocean gives you is like a calling.

As similar as the two oceans are, my familiar Pacific and my new friend the Atlantic, I can’t help but feel a distinct personality difference in them. It’s not that one is more powerful or vast than the other. It feels much deeper than that. It’s a feeling that I can’t put my finger on but I think it is one everyone who has a relationship with the Oceans feels.

For all of us here on this trip, I think I can say that each of us, on some different level, has had a great experience with the Ocean and the beaches. I think the most memorable, though, for many of us was the chance to see wild whales hunting right off the beach. The wild Orcas were breathtaking and magical to see. We all gathered on a cliff yelling in excitement and wonder at the sight of these huge beautiful creatures. We don’t really know what it was about the whales that seemed to bring us all together on such an unseen and very emotional level but I think we all felt it in those minutes of watching the whales.

                                                              “G”

~Jordin Muller 

We Sustain One Another

Throughout this program we have been studying the importance of sustainable communities. Communities, in which a body of people live together in one location, is essential to sustainability. When humans live together they tend to have a lesser carbon footprint upon the earth. 

Members of communities share common resources and space in one centralized area. There are many benefits to living within close quarters. A local businessman who lives within a community does not need to outsource if there is an able work force amongst his or her neighbors. If a family’s lights go out in a storm they can receive help from a neighbor with a generator. Neighbors can walk to one another’s homes instead of driving to visit one another. If members of the same area need to travel long distances they can carpool. If a neighbor is ill and is all alone a friendly neighbor from across the street can provide company.

There are dozens of benefits to living within a community. Throughout my stay here in Soheimar I have been surrounded by a wonderful community of students. The kindness of these fellow students in a way is a type of sustainability. My fellow peers sustain my hope when I feel hopeless. These people have come to aid me in time of need. The kindness of my fellow students, may not directly help me reduce my carbon footprint, but indirectly give me the push I need to continue my work as I further learn how to be sustainable.

The positive traits, personalities and actions of these fifteen people have sustained me thus far...

Noga: The vast knowledge Noga has about all energy resources, especially oil, never ceases to amaze me. I admire her determination to become an expert in a field that can, at times, be distressing.

Margie: Margie’s clear empathy towards animals and all that is living is very commendable. She has a never ending heart open towards helping all people and animals.

Connor: The passion Connor exudes for geology is truly remarkable. This focus inspires me and reassures me that there is a niche for everyone on this planet you simply have to find it. 

Ben: One day when I was upset Ben went out of his way to comfort me. A person who takes the time to help you in time of need is the main trait in a great neighbor and a great friend.

Shelby: Shelby’s constant analyzation of all of her surroundings is a quality of great importance. She has a unwavering moral compass and knows the difference between right and wrong all of the time. She should be admired by all.

Michael: Michael is the neighbor who will never let you fall. On all our hikes throughout Iceland every time I was descending from a steep ledge Michael’s hand was always there to assist me.

Drew: Drew radiates confidence and happiness. His good natured personality is contagious. 

Tim: Tim is the neighbor down the street who is reliable and willing to help at moment’s notice. He is selfless and will put aside all of his time to do a favor for someone else.

Margaret: Margaret is one of the most trustworthy people you will ever meet. She has a fun loving personality but at the same never fails to notice when another person is in need. She is truly a great friend.

Jordin: Jordin’s laughter sustains all of us. She is compassionate and does not fail to ask you how your day was. 

Alicia: Alicia is a sponge for knowledge. She can never take in enough wisdom. Her desire to always want to become better is an example to us all.

Yuan: Yuan amazes me more and more every day. Her profound thoughts make you step back and reevaluate yourself. She is a deep thinker who at a very young age already has an abundance of wisdom.

Steph: Steph emits a beautiful calmness. She is always steady and dependable. She is a wonderful listener and is an idol for everyone.

Hank: Hank is a revolutionary person who operates unlike anyone else. He has a connectedness to the land that is incredible. 

Karin: Karin’s quirkiness intertwined with her compassion makes her unique. She will first listen to you and then make you smile through her smile. 

In conclusion, I have learned that a healthy environment is as sustainable as healthy people. We must make an effort to surround ourselves by wonderful people first before we create a wonderful earth. 

"G"

Tara Byrne

Mornings by the River

Mornings by the River

            I would call the place the River. It is a place about 20 to 30 minute-walk away from Solheimar. After you left the front entrance of Solheimar, you would start walking on a sandy path next to the road. There would always be horseshoe marks on that path. If it is early in the morning, the frost would still keep the ground hard and you could see all the trial marks left on the day before. After you see the road makes a broad turn to the left, and tree line starts to emerge, you would soon see a rather inconspicuous green iron gate, which would lead you to the path to the River. It is always a good idea to keep the gate closed by lowering the iron bar on top, just in case any sheep would want to take a look at the world out there.

            That path, what I would call the River Path, is rather straight. It has two parallel trials that are separated by a grass line less than a foot wide. If it rained the day before, the trials would be rather wet, especially when there is dew dangling on the meadows surrounded the trials. When that happens, it would be a good idea to walk on the grass in the middle. There are also a lot of trees on the sides of the trials. They are rather dense at the beginning of the trial. As you walk on, trees would get sparser and sparser, and they would finally disappear as being replaced by endless meadows and moss. When that happens, you would encounter another gate, exactly the same as the one at the entrance, signifying your exit of the property. 

            From then on, you would need to rely on waterproof boots and discerning eyes. There would be a lot of hidden creeks buried under the meadows. One wrong step would lead to a total suck-in of your feet. Of course you will be able to drag your feet out when that happens, but only at the expense of getting all muddy. When it is cold, however, and sun rises rather late in the morning, such as late October, it could be your lucky day. Water would be frozen before the sun rises, and it would still be really bright for you to walk and find your way. When that happens, all you need to do is to pretend you are walking on grassland, only with cracking sound of ice for every step you make.

            By that point, you would already see the river, vast and majestic. If the sun has yet made its appearance, the water would look rather tranquil, without the exciting reflection of light. But, the sun would mark its place by spreading colors on the clouds and mountains and meadows. He is indeed a brilliant artist, with mixing colors that are even inadequate for language. Not far in the east, where the mountain across the River lies, would be on the rather bright orange/red spectrum. The closer to the sun, the brighter it would be, but even the place with most light would still be rather gentle and soft when compared with the sun itself. If you turn your head gradually to the north and to the east, you will see the gentlest transition of color. The west is filled with the coldness of dark blue and grey, while the east is diffused with the warmth of orange and red. If my eyes could be further apart, I may be able to experience both at the same time.

            Finally, you would reach the bank of the river. Stepping on the black volcanic sand, walking by the water, seeing the water shining like fish’s scales, listening to the creek merging into the big river, smelling the light touch of moisture. The feelings of moments like that only belong to the moments, and the moments alone. No words could be sufficient to describe those feelings, and neither could one completely comprehend such feelings from another person.

 Cons

Mr. "G" 

Change

Small change happening on daily basis doesn't make me feel much about changing. But after a period of time it becomes sensible and even striking to realize how much I’ve changed in Iceland with such a group of awesome people.

Infusing in a community is hard for me in many senses mainly because my Chinese background and mind set nurtured by that culture. With two years education in the US, I didn't adapt well in blending into American culture. Rather I found a floating identity with such study-aboard experience that re-shaping my value as a global citizen.  I practiced language and communicational skills to find a way to express myself in daily dialogue. However, it hasn’t been working well until here I come to Iceland. In the past, as an outsider and one of the minority back to my school, it was hard to share my thoughts with people out of the classroom because of different social and value system. I used to attribute that communication gap to culture differences that are difficult to overcome. Now I think it is not true.

Time and space have significant impact on people’s way of thinking. Living in a communal space with a group of American students to share ideas very often, my feeling has changed so much. I feel I am much more an insider even though culture barriers still exist. We are a community because people tend to accept the difference instead of escaping or ignoring it no matter how different they are. And importantly, such acceptance goes beyond culture. If I imagine everyone as a cultural entity with different background and habits, then CELL group will be like United Nation that facilitates global changes. 

To figure out that change of feeling between my experience in America and that in Iceland, I think Iceland certainly provides a distinctive environment for people to jump out of their previous lives and learn to be more open towards surrounding people. For me, Iceland is special because people live much more humbly and resiliently facing the harsh natural conditions. And people here incorporate that humbleness and resilience into a simple lifestyle, which offers them more time to communicate with each other and to feel respects by listening to each other. Influenced by this social atmosphere, I feel no pressure when I talk to people in whatever the language is. People are patient about me when I encountered problems in my articulation. And sometimes a conversation can develop in depth.

Therefore, I feel so grateful that I am here to learn and experience this magic place with such a wonderful group and a program. I like to slow my path down just to know more about life and people around me at present time.  And I want to bring this feeling with me no matter where I go in the future. As long as I am spending time to communicate with people, I believe words retain its power to be heard.

by Yuan Zhuang

Here is one of my good friends !    "G"

More is less, less is still less, and sometimes less is more, and more is more.

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Usually more has always been better, more money, more stuff, more food, more items for cheaper, more buildings on campus for more students getting more educated, more cars and roads for them cars to be going more places, and more houses for those cars and more lights for those houses, and more power-plants and water plants for it all, and more mines and wells for those raw resources and energy. But what does it really mean to have more, in one very real way it means someone, something, or somewhere has less. Its business as usual isnt it? Yes, business as we know it, and fair is it? You, we, them and they all pay for these things dont we? Well of course we do! A fair price though? Thats becoming harder to actually know, a fair price for the labor, the other resources used, transportation, processing, marketing, developing, all bundled up into “the product” and very often the price excludes a very serious value, a very serious deficit, an error of the economics.

The price of the health care costs these products incur is one that can be monetarily measured, but only to a degree, what about the trauma, grief and angst from watching loved ones and strangers alike succumb to cancers and illnesses the like of which we didnt know about only a century ago, or atleast ones which weren't on the forefront of the battles of staying healthy.

The price of pollution. Pollution, its not just chemical, but light, noise, aesthetic, and to some spiritual. None of us have to be astronomers to adore and wonder about the stars on a dark nite. None of us audiophiles to appreciate the clear crisp sounds of nature, or meditating monks to seek the silence. Nor landscape photographers, backpacker extraordinar's, or wilderness survivalists to revel in amazement at vast expanses of untamed and untouched lands. You do not have to be a transcendentalist or a vision-questing sojourner to feel something unknowable and immense flowing in the forests, circulating in canyons, whispering in the winds, and ongoing in the oceans. You just have to be a living being, a human with eyes and ears open. Pollution is the fundamental cause of every illness in some way shape or form, biological or chemical, its all chemistry in the end. How exactly would one measure the price of pollution? And how would you allocate the alimony out to those affected? You can pay a land owner for the materials in his land, but when you disperse pollutants to the winds and waters how do you pay those affected, persons living feet to fortnights away from the point source polluter, for the unwanted collateral chemicals, for the view now gone, the wildlife now absent, the sacredness that has been scarred? We live with a constitution of 'correlation is not causation' and its no concern for the companies if your conscience concludes that chemical contaminates from these corporations and conglomerates cause you harm, you simply cannot charge them for their carcinogens and cohorts of compounds that conspire to corrupt your cells. Aesthetic and intrinsic vales are not measurable in any definitive way, they do not work with the equations, this pollution cannot be compensated. So here you have more and you also have more, more of what you want and more of what you dont want, more of what makes you feel happier or better, and more of what can cause you grievous physical and emotional harm. Whats advancing technology worth is it comes at the cost of causing more sicknesses? Will technology really be able to leapfrog over its self to fix its past and present downfalls without creating more for the future? So here you see you have more of the things you want and things you dont want, as well as having less of some things you may want, of things you may appreciate, like forests, and open coastlines, and wild salmon, and clean air, and clean water, and escapes from society. I cannot speak for everybody, I cant imagine that everybody consciously wants these things, but I also cannot imagine that not everybody does not appreciate these things on some fundamental level. Even the polluters after having damaged and degraded one environment secure sanctuaries in others more pristine, they buy ranches one could spend days traveling across, or alpine cabins in remote undeveloped areas. Why? To get away from the pollution, the light and noise and dirty cities, to get away from phones and persons to have some time alone in wonderment of the world. Thought they may never admit it in that way.

When we take more now it leaves us less for later. The short term gains of clear cutting a forest means more money now, and less forest now, the long term effects mean more erosion and less life supporting land here, but rather dumped into the sea somewhere, it means less water retention for year round water supplies, and less of the natural filter that makes our water clean, it means less habitat for life of all sorts, it means a less liveable landscape for the future, and more money being spent to find remedies for these problems and soon you find all your capital from the clear cutting gone to attempting to amend its downfalls, so fewer forests means less money, and more man made fixes that aren't as aesthetic as a forest, and operating at a cost unbelievably unsustainable.

"G"

So I entertain that less is more. Less impact lives that take fewer resources mean more of the life supporting functions of the world stay naturally in the more than capable means and ways of the world, not the meddling hands of half million year old humans and our hubris towards having it all figured out.

So what now with more? More water, clean air, healthy landscapes and habitats in more places with access for more people. More resources for everybody means more people have their fundamental needs met in safer cleaner ways so that more people can have more fulfilling and healthier lives.

So I invite you to ask yourself whats worth having more of?
And what is worth having less of? They are infallibly intertwined, so make you decisions carefully, make them informed, make them conscious of all other lives, those that are, and those yet to come.

 Waldo.

An attempt at poetry

Humility

Black rock, grey sky.

blue water

hissing through cobbles post each crash.

silence, ocean.

clouds stretch out, over land and sea

blanketing all.

gloves off;

this is a place where your hands should be cold

wet

salt-kissed.

skin sliding over smooth monoliths

of stone, twisted and dark;

fingers dipping into hidden pools

of clearest water

stillest water.

This landscape is not cheerful,

yet

it is imbued with a joy, deep and melancholy

that resonates with impossible power.

here mortality catches in your throat

as waves batter the slowly retreating earth

par they would batter a watcher's frail frame.

Man

is in his true place here

small

in awe of the forces around him

subject to them

no longer omnipotent;

arrogance dashed against the cobbles
like so much ocean spray.

The coast that inspired the poem

"G"

- Connor Mulcahy

The Whirlpool

Margaret Hoyt

We have now been in Iceland for two months. A speedy six weeks yet so much has happened.  We have seen the northern lights, killer whales, breathtaking sunsets, massive glaciers, and quaint harbors. We’ve laughed, had meaningful conversations and created incredible friendships. Two months in and so much has happened, none more monumental than my personal revelations.

Last week, we were given a mid-semester assignment. Naturally, I huffed at the news and added it to my list of things to do. After looking at the assignment, I began reflecting and summarizing all of the realizations I’ve had while here (there’s been a lot!) I started contemplating my past; my childhood, my high school years, my college experience thus far and I experienced a significant personal revelation. I realized I had a romanticized depiction of who I was. Growing up, I described myself as unique, eclectic, a leader rather than a follower, an original. What I realized was how incredibly inaccurate this was. I gave myself credit in some senses of who I was but as far as an environmentalist goes, a person advocating for the earth and setting examples for my friends and family to follow, I was failing without even realizing it. To put it bluntly, I was being a phony.  I was an environmental science major, learning about overcapacity, overconsumption, renewable energy, and resource depletion but was living my life as if I were an economics major.

I was following mainstream norms; living my life the way society expected me to and buying the products media encouraged me to. I was idly living my life, following the current; happy and healthy with an amazing circle or family and friends but simply going through the motions without every asking myself: is my lifestyle sustainable? Is my lifestyle propelling the destruction of our planet? I was casually and carelessly floating through life in a whirlpool of societal norms and mainstream trends.

After much deep introspection I decided now would be the time to switch directions. I have made an honest commitment to change my life, to not only talk to talk but walk the walk. Turning around and switching directions in a whirlpool of this size is going to be no easy feet. It would be much easier to give up and once again be caught in the current of society. It would take less effort, cost last money, take less time (at first glance) and less mental thought and self-reflection to live in the whirlpool but when I quickly consider that, I immediately ask myself “why would I want to live my life in a way that requires the least mental thought? The least physical and mental effort? The easy route?” I refuse to live idly, following the current, continuing to fuel a destructive system that destroys the planet and the organisms that live on it.

Being here has not only encouraged me to reflect in this way but it has motivated me to change. I am so thankful to have had this experience. I have accepted that my previous life was no better than anyone else’s and have consciously made a pledge to change. I have dreams, ambitions, and inspiration that I’ve never experienced in my life. It may be slow and it’ll definitely be challenging but I am ready to reverse the direction of my life from a conventional lifestyle that damages the human spirit and ruins the environment to one that simply follows what is right and what is good.

"G"

my eyes to serve.

"Keep the earth below my feet,

For all my sweat my blood runs weak,

Let me learn from where I have been,

Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn."

Introduction to Iceland: Landmmanlauger

How many people can say they've hiked over a glacier?

G

The sun shines over a small coastal town in western Iceland.

Sometimes a clumsy moment can lead to a beautiful view. 

I like to think that praying monks once looked out of this peephole.

-Noga

A morning in the life of a CELL student

Its 8:30 a.m. and the sun has yet to rise.  A groggy crew gathers together in the living room to “become present” and discuss any household issues and plans for the day.  As the meeting draws to a close I get my coat, hat, and gloves and head to put my shoes on.  It’s approximately 8:45.  I am usually the first one out the door, so I put my shoes on and head outside to go to morning meeting thinking of what phrases I should have written out to ask people and guessing who the first person to greet me will be.  As I walk down the hill towards Solheimahus I consider how cold it is and how I should have worn another layer of clothing, or how icy the path is trying not to fall, completely oblivious to the joy that is about to ensue.  As I turn the corner I start to see those who have been waiting, sometimes as early as 8:15, and watch as their faces start to light up.  I say “góðan daginn” to Eyþór as I walk by heading for the rest of the group.  I am greeted first by a hug and a stroke of the cheek from Kristján which always brings a smile to my face.  After Kristján I am greeted by a hug and smile from Hanný and Disa.  I go to my normal place across the circle and greet Gísli in hopes for a response and listen as he says “Frost á morgun. Ekki í dag.” (“Frost this morning, none today”).  As I stand there I watch as my fellow classmates and teachers start walking in.  First come Steph and Alicia who are greeted with many “góðan daginn”’s and the occasional hug from Hanný and Disa.  Then Shelby, Karin, and Noga walk up and are immediately swarmed.  I watch as Noga also gets a hug and a cheek stroke from Kristján and goes on talking to Guðlaug, Erla and Ólafur.  Shelby is greeted by Guðlaug and talks to her about her sparkly hat and gloves. Karin is greeted by a big hug from Hanný and continues by asking her and others questions in Icelandic.  Reynir walks in and flies around the inside the circle like an airplane and Valgeir enters and follows him before taking his place in the circle.  Birgir enters and helps Helga stand since she can’t sit because the bench is covered in frost. The circle takes its form, I take Gísli’s hand as well as the hand of the person to my right, and we all wait in silence as we wait for the church bells to ring.  Seeing the community together is a very special moment, and seeing the silent interactions among others is quite fun.  Finally the bells ring. Einn. Tveir. Þrír. Fjórir.  I watch as Reynir nods to each chime.  Fimm. Sex. Sjö. Átta. Níu. “Góðan daginn.”  The meeting then starts with Guðmundur asking Ólafur Benediktsson for the date and continues on with the normal business of who is attending school, people going to town, and more.  Helga chimes in telling Guðmundur about her comments on the days’ events.  Shelby then raises her hand and in Icelandic mentions that we are showing a movie in Sesseljuhus tonight.  Guðmundur nods and the group is impressed with the perfect Icelandic.  Disa, very excited about the movie, exclaims “YES! YES!” jumping up and down, and everyone laughs.  The meeting comes to a close with Sandra telling us what is for lunch: “Fiskur og grænmeti.”(fish and vegetables).  Joining hands again, we stand as Laurus starts and leads the community in the morning song:

Lof sé Guði ljómar dagur,
Lífgar sólargeislinn fagur
Allt um heim sem hefur líf.
Gef oss Drottinn gott að iðja
Gef oss náð að vaka og biðja,
Vertu styrkur vor og hlíf.

We raise our hands and I stand and watch as everyone goes in their respectable directions.  The day has begun.  Because the whole meeting was in Icelandic I walk over to meet with the rest of my classmates and the volunteers to talk with Herdis and Axel about what was discussed.  By now I understand most of what is mentioned, but there are still some topics that I know less about.  Finally we start to make our way up the hill to class.  We meet up with Siggi who had been waiting for us and talk about our days and what we are going to learn.  There is nothing like the interactions and laughter of a morning meeting to start your day.

"G"

-Margie