Welcome to my walking journal for this Walking Project. I really enjoyed this experience and have learned more than just elements of digital writing. This project has allowed me to look deeper within myself and to reflect on the surroundings I travel through daily. I have tried to organize this page in a fun way so that it is more stimulating than just reading a straight-up and down blog. I have also ordered my entities in a way to introduce you to my understanding and my relationship with the paths and environment of Tech. I then include some entries to show my personality and my interactions with my friends, and walking, because walking is a huge part of my life, and so are they. I do take a brief detour to discuss the state of our environment, and this is because, in practicing actually observing the environment, I noticed a few things. After that, I redirect towards more of a “what’s walking to me” route. I developed each entry in a backwards way, where most of them I would go on a walk and find something that was resonating with me, and take a picture, video, or recording. Then, after I went on enough walks, I chose from the surplus of media options, I would pick a prompt that I could relate the walk to, and I would do it. I tried to stick with brief entries because I know that I get bored easily, and since I have editorial authority, I stuck with 90 words per entry. I hope you enjoy!
A for A thank you note
2.10 Favorite Tree, A Note of Appreciation; Photo and text; 09Nov25
A thank you note to you, this lovely tree,
As a freshman cadet, Tech seemed grey. The path between Torg and Person Hall West was usually clear of upperclassmen cadets. Training and classes were fun, but Upperquad was brutal, filled with critiques and “privileges.” I took the sight of you as a sign of brief safety, but everything still seemed dull. The second freshman training ended, everything lit up with color. You, the brightness in the dullness, truly begun shining. Thank you for being my guiding light as I grew.(90 words)
V for Vivid
3.22 Change the Ritual; Photo and text; 02Oct25
Vivid chills fill my body as I walk back from the gym, taking a long way back this time. The faint sound of cadets working out somewhere far across the drillfield somehow made the fact it was 6 am feel less harsh as I looked out into the misty fog. The peaceful silence was interrupted by the robotic ping as I unlocked the door to my dorm, and before my eyes fully adjusted to the lights, the door bashed shut behind me, jarringly jolting me back into our artificial world.(90 words)
F for Funny
2.01 Campus Map of the Imagination; Photo and text; 20Oct25
Funny how I never traveled this path
I walk daily, but only a familiar path
I do, when bored, look for a new path
Walking to class, I need my old path
Walking to my car? Why not a new path
Walking to Lane? They all converge into one path
How have I never noticed this quick path
I walk around here, just never this last path
The road looks a bit rough, so this is an avoided path
But now I see this is a quicker and calmer path(90 words)
P for Prayers
Prayers for those who passed and their families are the first things I think of when I stop to admire the April 16th memorial. As a member of both the Corps and the Highty Tighties, I am filled with a sense of honor and duty as I recall the stories of Matthew La Porte and his ultimate sacrifice for the lives of others. As a member representing the organizations he did, I have a duty to strive to uphold those very same standards, and the memorial is a constant reminder. (90 words)
2.27 4/16 Memorial; Photo and text; 02Oct25
O for Odd
3.09 Sound Archive; Photo and text; 19Nov25
Odd silence fills the tunnel under Burrus as I begin my trek to eat. Walking to meet my friend at Turners and grab a Powerade for the walk to West End with my mind honed on my blue drink. My focus is pulled towards the deafening silence. Chills rush down my spine as the only echo I hear is the clicking of my own shoes. This highly trafficked tunnel sat silent seconds before. What does the tunnel prefer? The quiet or the bustle of students rushing to class. (90 words)
H for Haven’t
2.04 Overheard, Less Context; Audio file and text; 31Oct25
Haven’t you heard?
Heard what?
She wants to rip his head off
What
His head
Who
His
No who said it
Oh, that girl standing in the Qudoba line
How do you know that
What do you mean silly EARS duh
Exactly dummy I can barely hear you with all this noise
I just catch random things
Like what
That guy just failed his test
Who
The guy standing in the Oragami line
What
His test
No thats not…
Oh that sucks
What
Her boyfriend cheated
What?!
He cheated
Nevermind
L for London Broil
3.12 Five Senses; Photo and text; 16Nov25
London Broil is what I get every time I come to West End. The sides vary with each visit, but the smoky smell in the air is a recurring scent. My mouth begins to water as soon as it fills my nostrils. The cold winds elevate the full-body sensations of hunger pouring over me. The sun is normally setting when I go, casting beautiful rays through the sky. The sound of my heart beating echoes through my body as I rub my fingertips together in anticipation of the flavors ahead. (90 words)
G for Glutonus
2.06 Talking Along the Drillfield; Photo and text; 19Oct25
Glutonus, so very glutonus. At least we are full and content on our journey back. Walking towards the dining hall, our only topic was food. It’s never limited to the food we were about to eat. We’d discuss desert, fancy restaurants, our mothers’ cooking, cooking in our dorm kitchen, any and all food. The way back is quiet. Our hunger satiated. The occasional glance exchanged was followed by a slight chuckle. The passerbys fade into the background as we admire the beauty of the world we once wished to devour.(90 words)
Mother Nature frequently succumbs to the desires of mankind. Yesterday it rained heavily, and with it being fall, the sidewalks were flooded with orange and red leaves. Throughout campus, students have trudged through the leaves marking their desired paths. This isn’t the only way humanity has asserted its dominance. We chop down countless trees, move mountains, and divert rivers and natural waterways. After centuries, we are reaping what our ancestors sowed with the pollution levels and garbage cluttering our lands. Desired paths are merely smaller forms of control over nature.(90 words)
Unsightly encounters, such as those with litter, disturb me. Trash has been an issue for centuries, and we as a society brush it off. Sure, we have public trash cans, but because of capitalism and greed, we refuse to collect them unless the price is high enough. I see it everywhere, and I know you do too, even if you don’t notice it. It plagues our world, and it is all over campus. I see it every day, not just after rain. A can here, bottles there, waste is everywhere.(90 words)
M and U for Mother Nature and the Unsightly things happening to her
2.17 Desire Paths; Photo and Text; 16Nov25
2.24 A Meditation on Garbage; Photo and text; 16Nov25
K for Kettle
2.08 Sporting Event; Photo and text; 11Oct25
Kettle popcorn is calling my name as the scent fills my nose, but my legs have begun to ache after marching from upper quad. The Hokies are turning into the Chokies and my interest has begun to fade. But wait! Is that the Hokie Bird? How shall you entertain today? I see my drum major looking eager to hand you his mace. My senior buds clenching their covers, waiting for you to ask. ”MAKE SOME NOISE!” the jumbo screens read, the ground begins quaking, and promptly the Hokie Bird leaves.(90 words)
Y for You
2.22 Stairs versus Elevator; Photo and text; 15Oct25
You know what’s funny? The elevator this year. These few guys pissed me off at least three times a week last year.
“Are you really taking the elevator up one flight? You have legs.”
Yes.
My door is literally two steps from the elevator. So I took it every day out of spite because I pay the same tuition. It sucks for them now that the elevators broke. I never minded my flight of stairs. I sure do hope they realised they also have legs. Max three flights… life’s rough. (90 words)
E for Every
3.27 Epic Walking Story;Photo and text; 07Oct25
Every week, I venture alongside my bud Dan. We journey through the darkness of the night at least once a week to retell the stories of our time apart. We laugh, we joke, and occasionally we get scared as we venture through the deeps of the woods along Huckleberry Trail. Monsters and creatures shuffle in the brush beside us, but we carry on steadfast, clenching our fists tight. As we exit the harrowing wood and near our abode, we begin to reflect on life before resting, awaiting our next departure. (90 words)
C for Celebrating
3.28 Your Parade; Text and a photo; 01Nov25
Celebrating everyone else is our job. As we walked to form up, we discussed our dream parade. As we crossed the drillfield, we joked about the regiment cheering for us and, for once, seeing us band folk as at least an equal. They would line the drilfield as all 150 of us stand, no sit on floats as they applaud. But we were only joking. As we near our bandmates, we are forced to focus on the performance before us. GO HOKIES! We will scream as programmed for every game
R for Right now
2.19 Duck Pond; Photo and text; 30Oct25
Right now I am regretting walking past the duck pond tonight. I know the geese here can be violent at times. I also know they sleep on the concrete at night, but for some reason, I decided to come back to my dorm this way. I wish I brought my headphones instead of trying to detach tonight. I just wanted to sit on a good bench before heading back. I should have picked any of the other ones on campus. Oh well. Now I’ll hold my breath while passing them.(90 words)
X for Xenic
2.05 A Good Bench; Photo and text; 09Oct25
Xenic winds are my preference. The cold, humid air here makes walking sting in almost every pore. I miss the hot nights in El Paso; hell, almost anywhere in Texas is better than here. And to think school is the old reason I’m here. I would go back, but I’m in too deep. All I can do now is walk and take the occasional pause at a bench. Only I take a break from the cold that blows harder as I walk, instead of soaking in the comforting dry heat.(90 words)
S for Still
2.12 Indoor Walk; Photo and text; 30Oct25
Still.
I stand so very still.
Should I leave now
What if somebody sees me
Seeing me is fine, an everyday occurrence
What if somebody hears me
The sloshing of the water
Refilling my Smart Water bottle
Holding it up to the spout
Still, I stand still
The hall lights will suddenly turn on once I leave
Studying too late, and now I stand still
My mouth is dry, curse my schoolwork
I can’t blame another single soul
Studying earlier is an easy solution
But still I stand here still(90 words)
I for I
3.08 Bird Watching Walk;Photo audio and text; 25Nov25
I finally go home for break and what do I hear. As I stop to admire a bird perch in a tree I here something off in the distance. I tug on my dog’s leash a little so he begins to run as I guide him in the direction of the noise. We stop a few houses down we hear it again. At least 3 roosters alternating caws. This is why I love walking the spontaneity of it all and the mental distraction it provides both here and at school.(90 words)
J for Just
2.34 Directions for a First-year Student; Photo and text; 14Nov25
Just try to take a breather every once in a while. College is hard, especially during your first year. It is extremely easy to get stuck in a spiral of anxiety. Just try to take a break when you feel yourself on the verge of a spiral. Sit at the duck pond and enjoy the tranquility. Walk around the drillfield and just listen to the noise of campus life. Jog to Hokie Grill and get a snack. Watch TV, see friends, call home. Whatever you do, just take a break.(90 words)
Q for Queitly
2.03 Overhead at Time of Day; Video and text; 09Oct25
Quietly and slowly, the stars seem to pass overhead. Quickly, the stars soar above me as I admire from below. Quantities unknown, the stars are ever so infinite. Quacks make sense when you look up like this, “Maybe we are the center?” Qualities desired by gods and humans alike. Quirks differentiate one from the other, each at a different stage along the path of a star. Quaint colors fill the night sky, offering comfort for all, like far and near. Questioning as I gaze, are we the only ones gazing? (90 words)
D for Dont
3.14 Star Gazing; Photo and text; 09Oct25
Don’t think, just look at the beauty of the stars. Times can get rough and overwhelming, but as long as the outside exists, I will be fine. This is what I tell myself before going on a walk. Whether I have my headphones to disconnect from school as a whole or if I’m without them to connect with nature, I still have to remind myself. I have to try to distance myself until I begin doing it subconsciously. It’s at this point the walk truly begins, when I can actually just relax. (90 words)
Z for Zero
3.02 Flanerie; Photo and text; 08Oct25
Zero destination marks the best strolls
Zero expectations make every sighting unexpected
Zero talking if I wear headphones and just look
Zero chance for oddity is boring
Just get up and go. Don’t look back just yet.
Zero track of time is a dangerous thing when walking
Zero worries as my mind drifts further
Just get up and go right now. I won’t look back until my soles give out.
Zero notifications after I leave my phone again
I can’t get up. I can’t go.
A drifter’s worst enemy…endless responsibilities.(90 words)
N for Nothing
2.23 The Things You Carry; Photo and text; 30Nov25
Nothing or just my phone and headphones. Sometimes I replace my phone with my Apple watch because I want to avoid people calling me. I walk the majority of the time to escape. This can be an escape from the good or the bad. At school, it is mainly to regulate my emotions and prevent me from getting overwhelmed by my responsibilities. At home, I walk to disconnect from my home and family because being at peace within myself is extremely important to me, and I just need to recharge.(90 words)
W for Weathered
2.02 Shoe Portraits, Shoe Memories; Photo and text; 04Oct25
Weathered and Worn but Faithful and True
You’ve stuck with me just like glue
The center of attention for others to view
Me and you, its just us two
You’ve fought so hard to continue too
Four years, a long time for you to pursue
Chasing a time when you were new
Frantically washing, wishing our travels would undo
Please return to your original hue
Wish our time together wasn’t through
Your departure will surely leave me blue
Unable to fathom replacing you
In the end, I always choose you(90 words)
T for Trippy Red
3.01 Reflective Preparatory Writing; Video and text; 16Nov25
Trippy is how I feel today, coming down from the after effects of last night. Trippy is how I would describe this whole project. Before this, I was glued to my headphones. They were a comfort item. I had them on all the time, even when I slept, and I would charge them on my head as I did homework. I have tried to leave them at home for this project, and I have grown closer with myself as a result. The music plays in my head without them. Trippy.(90 words)
B for But?
2.18 A Wish for Something to be Different; Photo and text; 16Nov25
“But why put random bricks here? It ruins my walk just before I get back!” That’s what I think almost every time I take this back to my dorm. In truth, I don’t think I’m actually upset that my walk is almost over, like this project. This project has changed the way I walk. Before I zoned out completely, the relief would be exclusive to during the walk. Now that I have learned to engage my brain while walking, I’m excited to see what my future walks have in store.(90 words)
Thanks for reading!!!