People Enjoy Trick or Treating on Halloween 

By Nate Feldman

Despite blustery winds, along with talks of severe weather coming to the area later tonight, families were able to go trick or treating in the Berwyn area tonight.  The streets were filled with parents and children dressed in all kinds of costumes, knocking on people's doors for candy.  

For many people, Halloween is a special day for a few reasons.  First of all, they love dressing in costumes as different kinds of monsters or their favorite characters from movies or TV shows.  They also like going out and trying to scare one another.  In addition, houses and businesses are decorated with all kinds of things, such as pumpkins, lights, and creatures of all kinds.  Most importantly, people love the free candy they are able to get from their neighbors and others in the community.  For these reasons, Halloween is a special occasion in the Berwyn area and throughout the entire United States.

Berwyn Has its Annual Halloween Parade

By Nate Feldman

In spite of a small rainfall, Berwyn, PA held its annual Halloween parade on Wednesday night.  People gathered beside the Easttown library in costumes of all sorts for the event.  At 7:00, they began marching down Bridge Avenue towards the Berwyn fire station where there was a costume contest and treats.  This event is put on every year by the Berwyn fire company.  It was fantastic to see all of the families having a great time.  

Overcast and Rainy Day

By Nate Feldman

It was a mostly overcast and rainy day as we approach the end of October.  The temperatures remained mild and will stay that way until the end of the week when it is supposed to get much colder.  The foliage is still at peak colors throughout most of the area.  I noticed striking colors on both my rides to and from work.

This Week in Review, October 27, 2019

The last week saw the fall foliage begin peaking in many parts of the Northeast.  The colors are many trees got brighter and brighter.  From Pennsylvania to Connecticut, I caught images of many trees bursting with colors.

Road Trip to Connecticut 

By Nate Feldman

I am currently up in Hartford, Connecticut having spent the day enjoying fall foliage scenery from New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.  Things were especially pretty along the New Jersey Turnpike, Merrit Parkway in Connecticut, and Riverside Park in Hartford.  Here are some nice pictures I got along the way:

Back on the Schuylkill River Trail

By Nate Feldman

I was back on the Schuylkill River Trail near Valley Forge Park this afternoon for running and sightseeing.  Many of the trees are reaching their peak in colors.  I also caught a nice glimpse of the river as the sun began setting.  The best thing about being out on the trail during this season is during the evening hours when the bright colors of the trees begin to reflect on the surrounding area creating a colorful atmosphere. 

What is an Important Day?

By Nate Feldman

It's easy to say that every day is just as important as the last one, but there is no doubt that some days stand out more than others.  We can refer to these as "Important Days."  But what exactly is an important day?  I would say that important days are those that influence the coarse of our lives more than others.

Important days can be referred to as watershed moments.  This means that they change the direction of our lives and there is no going back once they happen.  There are the days that when you reflect on your life, you realize that your eventual fate was forever shaped by incidents that happened then.  Days such as your graduation, marriage, the birth of your child, or the death of a loved one just to name some examples come to mind when we think of days like that.  In all of these cases, the person you were before those days is often quite different from the person you are after them. 

Of course, the important days I am referring to there are the ones that happen in an individual's life.  Then there are important days throughout the year, such as holidays.  These days are often used to celebrate holidays or mark a special occasion.  It can be a religious or national holiday.  These days create bonds within communities and entire nations.  They remind us of who we are and where we come from. 

The truth is we should treat every day as important as one another.  But, in reality, there are some days that seem more important to us than the rest.  These are the days that are etched in our memories forever.  One thing I do know is today was a beautiful day.  Here is a picture I took while outside.  That should make it important enough.

Autumn Day Brings Amazing Scenery

By Nate Feldman

After a day of heavy rainfall on Tuesday, the skies cleared up early Wednesday morning for what turned out to be a spectacular day.  It was sunny with temperatures in the mid-60s throughout the day, making it ideal weather to be outside.  The foliage is approaching its peak in the Philadelphia area, so many of the trees were bursting with bright yellow, orange, red, and purple colors.  I took a walk in downtown Berwyn to catch some of the amazing scenery.  The pictures below were taken at the Frank Johnson Park, just behind the Easttown Library. 

What is Nostalgia?

By Nate Feldman

Note: This session I am teaching definition essays.  We are taking different terms, such as crime, workaholism, happiness, and anxiety and trying to find detailed definitions of these terms.  Below is my definition of "nostalgia," something that has affected myself and most human beings.  

Do you ever find yourself returning to some place you liked going in your childhood?  It could be a park you hung out with your friends at or your family's favorite restaurant?  When you go back, do you try and relive the moments you had as if you were experiencing these same moments for a second time?  I know I have done these sort of things.  I often take vacations to places that played an important part of either my childhood or younger adult years.  The thing that leads us to doing these sort of things is what we refer to as nostalgia.  Nostalgia is a huge part of the human experience and most people experience it at one time or another.  But what specifically do I mean by nostalgia?

Nostalgia is the deep longing to return to a time from the past.  It is looking back at things that have happened before and trying to experience them for a second time.  When I think about it, nostalgia is a real doubled-edged sword as there are very many positive attributes to it and many negatives ones as well.  So, I will delve deeper into this and define what I call "good nostalgia," and what I call, "bad nostalgia."

Good nostalgia is showing appreciation for the things that came before and making sure that our past is not completely forgotten.  Let's say you have a group of friends who like to gather at a popular cafe on weekends.  Then, these friends haven't seen one another for many years.  When they get together again, they return to that same cafe because they have such fond memories of it.  Good nostalgia shows appreciation for the bonds of friendship and the place where that friendship was at its strongest.

Bad nostalgia, on the other hand, is the false promise that we can return to a time long since passed and relive things that are gone and can never return again.  You usually see this type of nostalgia in politics.  Many leaders play the nostalgia card to rally the masses to their cause.  They say if they are their leader, they will return to the greatness that once existed as if that time was really as great as they are saying.  This kind of longing for the past has led to war and far worse throughout history.

Nostalgia can be a healthy part of the human experience.  It teaches us to always remember and appreciate things from our past.  At the same time, people must also realize that the past is the past and cannot be relived again.  Respect the past, don't relive it.

This Week in Review, October 20, 2019

By Nate Feldman

The weather was clear and warm on Monday and Tuesday.  By Wednesday, things became rainy and windy and much colder.  However, by the weekend, the weather was pleasant again.  Also, as Halloween gets closer and closer, more and more people are decorating their houses for the occasion.

Fall Foliage in the Philadelphia Area

By Nate Feldman

With clear skies and mild temperatures, the past two days have been an excellent time to go outside and enjoy the fall foliage in the Philadelphia area.  Trees with bright yellow, red, orange, and purple colors can be found everywhere.  This is definitely a great time to take pictures.

A Cold and Blustery Day Hits the Region

By Nate Feldman

The rain from yesterday went away, but it was a mostly cloudy day with heavy winds.  There was a wind advisory for the Philadelphia area throughout the day.  According to Accuweather, Philadelphia saw wind gusts as high as 47 miles per hour.  The temperatures were also much colder than the beginning of the week with highs only in the low 60s with lows overnight expected to be in the 40s.  Things are definitely getting colder and colder in the area.  The colder it gets, the more warmer clothes people will need.

Heavy Rain and Wind Blasts the Area

By Nate Feldman

After clear skies and warm temperatures for the first part of the week, heavy rain and winds came to the Philadelphia area on Wednesday.  The rain is supposed to go away later tonight, but the winds are supposed to continue well into tomorrow.  The temperatures are supposed to drop into the 50s tomorrow making it quite a chilly day.

Another Pleasant Fall Day

By Nate Feldman

The sky remained clear throughout the day, and the temperature was mild, so there were more great photos I was able to take.  Tomorrow, it is supposed to be rainy, and after that it is supposed to get much colder, so I am happy I was able to get outside this afternoon. 

Beautiful Fall Day in the Area

By Nate Feldman

After an overcast morning, the sun came out and it was a splendid day.  The morning was a bit cool, but it was pleasantly warm by the middle of the afternoon.  I was able to take many great photos of the foliage in my area, some of which I plan to turn into postcards.  The foliage has not reached its peak yet, but the colors in the trees are getting brighter and brighter.  The next couple of weeks is my favorite time of the year for both the weather and scenery, so I expect to be outside quite a bit.

The Week in Review, October 13, 2019

By Nate Feldman

This week, I talked about the importance of people following their own instincts and not just doing what everyone else is doing because they are too afraid to stand out.  I also caught some nice images along the Schuylkill River Trail near Valley Forge, PA.  Finally, I took part in the Soul Harvest 5K race at Norristown Farm Park on Saturday.  Here is a video showing all of these things.

The Sole Harvest 5K in Norristown, PA

By Nate Feldman

I participated in the sixth annual Sole Harvest 5K race in Norristown, PA today.  The race took place at the Norristown Farm Park.  It went along a trail beside big fields and through wooded areas.  The raise is organized by the Norristown Hospitality Center with the hopes of raising money for its shelter, which provides services to poor and homeless people in the area. 

 

A Walk Along the Schuylkill River Trail

By Nate Feldman

I took a walk along the Schuylkill River Trail this evening in the section that runs through Valley Forge National Park.  I caught some really nice images in the twilight hours.

Should Schools Educate Children to Eat Healthier?

By Nate Feldman

Eating a balanced, healthy diet is something that nutritionists and many people in the health industry have been advocating for a long time.  It's well known that eating well has many health benefits.  It gives you the energy you need for the day, prevents illnesses, and even helps with your mental abilities.  But, is it something we should be focusing on while in class?  I think the answer is unequivocally yes.  Having a good lifestyle in general, which good eating is definitely a part of, is something that educators should encourage from the youngest ages possible.  If the goal of school is to truly help the next generation, it's important to teach them a fundamental thing that many people sadly overlook.  There's the old saying, "You are what you eat."  People who eat well are definitely giving themselves a great chance to succeed in whatever walk of life they wish to pursue.  And while I am sure people can point to countless of examples of people with poor eating habits who went on to be enormously successful, you are more likely to accomplish results if you are taking care of yourself than if you are not.  So, I look forward to talking with some people about their views on this subject in upcoming posts.

The Benefits of Walking over Driving

By Nate Feldman

As I mentioned yesterday, if you have the opportunity to do so, it is good to walk places instead of drive if you have the chance.  It is good for the environment, your health, and your wallet. 

Should People Walk More and Drive Less?

By Nate Feldman

With concerns about climate change, and the unpredictable nature of oil prices, the most intelligent thing would be for people to use their feet, or at the very least some form of public transportation, more than driving their own vehicles to improve both the environment and protect their wallets a bit.  That is ideal.  I'd be a tad of a hypocrite, however, if I tried to shove that down people's throats too much as I must admit that I sometimes drive to places, such as the local high school about a half mile away that I could easily walk to.  Not always of course.  I walk there sometimes.  But, not as much as I could.  The same with the local library.  I think in a time crunched world, and the feeling that one needs to get so much done, it is so much more convenient to use your car.  But, that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to minimize the use of it as much as possible.  It's just something to think about. 

Following Others

By Nate Feldman

Here is a video which continues my discussion about when to and not to follow others.

Going to an Eagle's Game

By Nate Feldman

Yesterday, I went to my first Philadelphia Eagle's football game at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia in almost five years.  The last time I had been there was back in December, 2014.  When I thought about that, I felt a bit emotional, not because I missed going to the game's so much, but because I was amazed how fast the time had passed.  I thought of all the things that had happened and the changes in my life since then. 

The Eagles are the most popular sports team in the Greater Philadelphia region.  The games draw people from the city as well as the surrounding suburbs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.  The man I sat next to said he came all the way from Virginia to watch the game.  Tens of thousands of people gather for these events.  Putting that in perspective, the stadium has a larger population than many towns when that happens. 

The weather conditions were very nice.  It was overcast, but the temperature was mild, so it was enjoyable to be outside.   

The Eagles won the game 31-6, and the crowd burst with cheers every time they scored or made a great play. 

After the game, everyone retreated from the stadium back to their cars to head home.  It was a great experience.

This Week in the News, October 6, 2019

By Nate Feldman

The last week saw the beginning of the month of October.  With it came Halloween decorations, inconsistent weather, and the beginning of the Major League Baseball playoffs. 

Should People Follow Others?

By Nate Feldman

There are many times in our lives where the decisions we make are based on what others tell us is the right choice more than what we feel is correct.  These decisions can range from simple things, such as the type of clothing we wear, or where we are going out for dinner on a particular night, to bigger things such as who we get married to, or what kind of career we have.  However, is this a good thing?  Should we make choices based on what others tell us to do?  In my view, I think we should always listen to what others have to advise us, but we also need to make our decisions from our own judgments.

There is nothing wrong with getting input from others.  We don't know everything, and there is nothing wrong in admitting that.  It is wise to take guidance from people who may have more experience or wisdom in a number of areas.  When you are looking for a job, for example, it's good to hear from people who are in particular fields to learn how people get real careers doing that line of work.  If you have no experience yourself, you will benefit tremendously from their insights.  Of course, listening to them does not mean blindly following them.  You can't just make your final decision because someone said that is what you need to do.  Hear what they have to say and then think about if that is something that fits you well.  In the end, you know yourself better than they do.

Now, if someone tells you to do something that you clearly know is the wrong thing to do, you have to know how to follow your instincts.  When I say wrong, I don't mean necessarily doing a bad thing like committing a crime.  I mean something that you know is not the best thing for you to do.  This can include a person giving you advice on how to succeed that you know will not work for yourself for whatever reason.  If your instincts tell you this is a bad thing, then it probably is.

Of course, this is easier said than done.  A lot of people don't know how to trust themselves.  They question whether their instincts are correct.  They also may admire the person who is giving the wrong advice and can't imagine that this person may be incorrect in this situation.  Being able to do this comes with having confidence.  If you believe in yourself, it is a lot easier to tell someone, or a group of others, that you disagree with what they are saying.  Of course, there are cultural and societal factors that play a role in these kind of decisions as well, but I have seen people from even very strictly collective cultures find ways to chart their own paths.

In the end, we see things through our own eyes, not those of others.  If your senses or instincts are telling you to do something, then there is good reason for you to do it.  Even if this seemingly goes against others around you, it is important to have faith in oneself and do the thing you know to be right.

Big Changes in the Weather

By Nate Feldman

The weather changed from very warm and sunny to cool and rainy overnight in the Philadelphia area. According to the weather reports, things are going to cool off significantly over the next couple of days with highs only in the 60s.  As recently as yesterday it was in the 90s.  Things are beginning to feel like autumn.

Following the Group

By Nate Feldman

Very often, there are situations where people do not follow their own individual judgment about something, but instead follow what others around them are telling them to do even if they know this thing is wrong.  Before we go into this deeper, I think we should all reflect on times where we have been guilty of such a thing and think of why we did that, and if that was the correct thing to do. 

Should People Bring Their Work Home with Them

By Nate Feldman

During the last few days of class, we have been discussing whether companies have the right to control people's personal lives.  The example we went into detail about was a company called Weyco in Michigan, which banned its employees from even smoking during its off-hours.  Out of this discussion, I have begun to think about whether we should bring work into our home life at all.  Many people do.  I work as a teacher.  Teachers have to do things at home to prepare for their lessons the next day.  In addition, it is not all that uncommon to see parents who are constantly on the phone with someone from their office while they are at home or somewhere out with their family.  But is this a good thing?  I believe people should separate their work life from their family life as much as they can even though that may be nearly impossible in some fields.

First of all, to be a good parent or spouse, it is important to focus your attention on the individuals around you.  If your mind is constantly focused on what is going on at work, you are going to miss precious moments with people in your family.

Another thing to consider is the stress it is going to inflict on you.  We all need down time.  If everything is about work, work, work, at some point we are going to burn out.  For me personally, I find it refreshing to do some activities away from the job.  Actually, I think it makes me better at my job as I don't feel worn out while I am there.

Some people will say working at home is the best way to ensure success.  They also may say that in their particular job, they have to be paying attention to it even if they are not at their workplace.  As a teacher, I understand the need for that.  But, I also know that success is not just how well you do at your job, but how well you do in life in general.  If your family life is a disaster, are you that much off a success?  That is something people have to think deeply about.

So, I hope reading this people will remember to get away from their work and focus on their private life every now and again.  It is the best thing for your physical well-being, and it will make you a better worker whether you believe it or not.