To Infinity and Beyond

Have you ever just stared off into space until all you could see were trees and more trees? It just looks like a sea of never-ending trees and you have to wonder, what are beyond those trees? I went out this morning and stared off into the lake and of course I noticed the lake, but then I looked beyond the lake and I was fascinated by the trees. I know it’s weird that I was so intrigued by something so simple, but I started to think. Beyond those trees is my home. I come from a very close-knit family and we always do everything together, so I wouldn’t say the transition from home to college was hard, just different for me. I started to think, if I just keep going through those trees, I’ll eventually get back home. At about the same time a bird flew overhead, I want to say it was a sea gull. Something in me wished I was that sea gull so that I could fly and venture off beyond those trees freely and answer my question; what are really beyond those trees? I guess that’s really the issue here. I was curious about the trees and what was behind them. Sometimes, I believe that it’s just never-ending nature and they go nowhere, but we know that’s not true. It’s just hard to believe that civilization is behind them because when you’re in civilization, for example New York City, you don’t see the trees so clearly. I started to think about how we can get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of a big city that we don’t take time to just observe scenes of serenity such as a lake with trees in the backdrop. You can’t really see these scenes when you’re in the city. You can only see them in areas of tranquility on the outskirts looking in.

Who is Nate Clarke?

Hey, my name is Nathan Clarke and I live in Lakeland, Florida. I’ve lived there pretty much all my life and I’m very familiar with Central Florida. I guess you could say that I’m a sports fanatic. I’ve played sports throughout my childhood leading up to my senior year in high school. The sports I’ve played throughout my life include soccer, football, and baseball. I would have to say my favorite sport is soccer, which I have played at the high school varsity level as well as the competitive (club) level. Part of the reason I’m so in love with soccer is the fact that my parents are from Jamaica, where soccer is an extremely popular sport. My dad has been teaching me the game as early as the age of 5 and his teaching has helped me develop into an astute soccer player. In addition to soccer, another love of mine is music. I’ve been going to a school of arts since Kindergarten. I attended Rochelle School of the Arts up until 8^th grade, and then auditioned to attend The Lois Cowles Harrison Center for Visual and Performing Arts where I was in choir. I’ve participated in various groups while at Harrison, such as the World Music choir, barbershop quartet, and chamber choir. I also participated in many honor choirs while at Harrison. I participated in our All County choir all four years of high school, the American Choral Directors Association Honor Choir freshman and sophomore year, and recently, the All State Concert Choir my senior year. I’ve done many performances in the community, my biggest being singing the National Anthem at our Teacher of the Year Awards my senior year. I don’t sing as seriously anymore, but I like playing guitar and having jam sessions with my friends occasionally. I used to write and record my own music and put it on myspace back when myspace was cool, and I played shows and all that. Overall, I enjoy having a good time with everyone and anyone. I’m almost always doing something. I hope to meet some chill people out here at FGCU and make a lot of new friends.