Assignment 2: Personal Geography

For this final map project I chose option two; Personal Geography. I created a “personal map” of what my life will possibly hold and look like. The map begins at the bottom of the page to begin with “where I am” starting with Gonzaga University and ROTC. Following the trail upwards you’ll see some of my major goals as a sense of “where shall I go.” Though life may throw many changes my way, this is as far what I ideally hope it to be. The cursive writing througout the map attribute to the “values I [plan] to pack for my trip.” The adjectives are placed specifically in that location and as time goes on you could see the type of values I wish to learn at that goal or stage in life. Throughout this course we drew on different profound meanings and purposes of maps. From the front of the final project packet option two led me to draw upon a few of these quotes; “map select and prioritize”, “a map is away to determine where we are...or... how we react to our surroundings.” These are really important understandings of how to perceive a map. In this map I selected and essentially prioritized what I feel to be an important goal or value to reach. Being that this map was created including these goals, the map now is able to conform the viewer, or myself
First off, an important idea came from the interview assignment. From an interview with Retired Col. Westfield, he said, “maps provide for a sense of direction, pathway in life, that also allows you to not only look forward but to reflect on the past as well.” This turns a traditional map into something with much more meaning. For example, taking a look at a paper map of the states only shows you the location of cities and so forth, yet viewing it as a personal map you derive memories of you in those locations that your eyes lay one. Thus, giving this map more meaning simply by the perception of the meaning of the