Brooke Jacobe - Treks and Texts

Over spring break, I went to Cabo and one of my favorite parts of the trip was a boat day where we saw whales. The boat trip started as a regular touristy trip, visiting the rock formations and El Arco, but once we got to the open water, the magic started to happen. Our boat driver started pointing out whales in the distance and explaining what we were seeing. He told us that when whales lift their tails out of the water like that, it means they’re about to dive deeper below the surface, and after that they can stay down for a while, which is why they would just disappear. He also pointed out that the white markings on the underside of their tails are different for every whale, kind of like a fingerprint, and that researchers use those patterns to identify them. We also saw dolphins swimming alongside the boat, which felt completely different. They were moving fast and coming right up next to us, while the whales felt slower and calmer. The driver told us the whales we were seeing were...

Time this semester has gone by so fast, but a time that I remember feeling long was the snowstorm in January. It is strange how something that only lasted a week can feel so stretched out in memory, especially now that March is already here. Texas weather is unpredictable, and that week made it obvious. One day it was a normal mild Fort Worth winter, and the next it looked like a winter wonderland. My friends and I spent the week almost immobile, with the ice preventing us from driving. We would take neighborhood walks, making sure to carefully step and not slip on the ice. Being from Texas and going to school here, my car is part of my everyday life. I am used to getting in it without thinking, driving to run errands, get food, or to see friends. That week, however, my car stayed parked and walking was our only option.  Reflecting on this time now, I thought of the quote we discussed in class and Abbey's idea that the person who "gets there" the fastest is the one who w...

Yesterday afternoon, my friends and I took our senior photos on campus, and it felt like such a full-circle moment. In class we discussed how TCU incorporates nature into campus and whether it feels authentic even though everything is so manicured. Walking around with that in mind, I noticed how intentional everything looks. The grass perfectly kept, the walkways lined with trees, and the beautiful purple and pink tulips they planted for spring. Every tree and flower bed is placed with purpose on campus. Even so, it still feels like an authentic experience with nature in its own way. The landscaping may be curated, but every time I walk through campus, I feel grounded and more present. I have spent so much town outside here, studying in the commons, walking between classes, or sitting under trees with friends. Campus made a beautiful backdrop for photos with my friends, not just because of not just because of its carefully maintained scenery, but because it still feels genuinely connec...