Date: January 21st, 2025
Location: Java Haute, Terre Haute, Indiana
Time: 7:30-7:45am
What I Observed
After my lift this morning I decided to go on over to Java Haute. Java Haute is a local coffee shop near campus that I highly recommend! The smell of freshly brewed coffee lingers in the air with a smell of sweetness of the baked goods displayed. The seating area is pretty busy with lots of students and adults, some working on their computers while other socializing with their peers. A man walks in with an blue Indiana State University hoodie and black joggers. He places his order then goes to take a seat at one of the tables. He then pulls out his laptop and puts his headphones in while he listens to music. Towards the center of the cafe a small group of girls walk in. They are all laughing and giggling having a good time. They talk about what they have going on for the rest of the day, and what they did over the weekend.
The overall space and atmosphere was lively, but not overwhelming. There was a strong sense of routine here, student studying friends catching up and regulars getting what they normally get. Nothing seemed off, just a nice and chill place to grab a drink and chill, or to simply get something to go.
Date: January 29th, 2025
Location: Student Rec Center, Terre Haute, Indiana
Time: 5:00-5:30pm
What I Observed
It’s early evening, and the rec center is alive with motion. The air smells faintly of rubber mats and sweat, and upbeat music pulses softly from the speakers overhead. As I walk through the cardio section, treadmills hum under steady strides. A guy in a grey ISU tank top wipes sweat from his forehead between sets, occasionally glancing at his phone. Across from him, a pair of girls wearing matching athletic leggings do weighted squats, hyping each other up. The weight room has a focused vibe, almost sacred like everyone is in their own bubble, headphones in, tunnel vision on.
In contrast, the basketball courts echo with laughter and competitive shouts. A casual pick-up game unfolds: fast breaks, dramatic missed shots, and plenty of smack talk. Around the facility, people nod in passing or exchange polite smiles, there’s a sense of community and shared purpose, even if no one’s talking much. Some come to train hard, some to socialize, but all are here in pursuit of something health, connection, or routine.
Date: January 29th, 2025
Location: Chick-Fil-A, Terre Haute, Indiana
Time: 11:30
What I Observed
Lunch rush at Chick-fil-A means one thing, busy but efficient. The line inside moved fast, and the “my pleasure”s were always being said. The smell of waffle fries and fried chicken hits you the second you walk in. College students, families, and people on their lunch breaks packed the dining area.
I sat near a window and watched a girl in scrubs eat quickly while scrolling through her phone. Across the room, a mom wiped down her toddler’s sticky hands while he insisted on dipping every nugget into ketchup.
Despite the busyness, it never felt stressful. The staff kept things moving with smiles and quick service. It’s one of those places where people of all ages blend, students, professionals, and parents all in pursuit of the same thing: something fast, familiar, and filling.
Date: February 5th, 2025
Location: Walmart , Terre Haute, Indiana
Time:
What I Observed
It is peak shopping hour. The store is buzzing under fluorescent lights, carts squeaking on worn linoleum floors. I find myself in a long checkout line, just like everyone else who probably thought 6:00pm was a good time to run errands. A woman in front of me mid-30s, wearing scrubs scrolls through her phone, visibly tired, while her son pokes at candy bars and whispers a plea for one. Behind me, an older man stacks canned goods, paper towels, and a 12-pack of Diet Coke with practiced efficiency.
Overhead, announcements crackle about store deals, barely audible over the low hum of conversation and beeping scanners. The cashier greets each person with the same soft tone: “Did you find everything okay?” Most just nod, eager to finish. One customer makes small talk about the weather, and the cashier smiles briefly. It’s a mix of transactional and personal — you get a sense that everyone is just moving through a necessary part of life. Even in its chaos, there’s an unspoken rhythm that feels oddly comforting.
Date: February 20th, 2025
Location: Sycamore Terrace Apartments, Terre Haute, Indiana
Time: 4pm
What I Observed
Walking around my apartment complex today, I noticed how alive the space feels in the early evening. The sidewalks were scattered with people walking dogs some big, and some small. Others just enjoying the fresh air.
A couple sat on their balcony, laughing and pointing at something on a laptop screen. I passed a girl walking to my mailbox Face Timing someone, her voice upbeat as she talked about her day. Someone nearby grilled I stopped by Casey’s for gas and coffee this morning and took a moment to just take in the scene. The early morning light made the parking lot glow slightly, and a mix of trucks and sedans pulled in and out in a constant rhythm. A man in work boots grabbed a breakfast pizza slice while chatting with the cashier about a new road project.
Two high schoolers stood by the fountain drinks, deciding between Mountain Dew and Dr. Pepper. A woman in business attire filled her car, then quickly ran inside for a bottle of water and a protein bar. There’s something about Casey’s that feels local and grounded — a place where regulars come every morning and always say “hey” to someone.
The convenience store vibe is fast-paced, but there’s a small-town feel too. A mix of people heading off to completely different days, but all pausing here in the same early-hour routine. I couldn’t see them, but the smell of BBQ floated in the breeze.
Even though everyone was doing their own thing, it felt like a neighborhood. There’s a comfort in hearing doors shut, seeing porch lights turn on, and watching life unfold right outside your window.
Date: March 1st, 2025
Location: Old Navy, Terre Haute, Indiana
Time: 7pm
What I Observed
Today I worked a closing shift at Old Navy, and during a quick moment at the front, I just observed. The fitting rooms buzzed with activity, moms wrangling toddlers, college girls trying on denim jackets, and a dad who looked totally out of his element holding three different sizes of khakis.
The store smelled like a mix of fresh cotton and plastic hangers. The music overhead was upbeat pop something familiar but overplayed. Customers came in with different purposes: some browsed casually, others power-walked straight to clearance. I helped a woman looking for jeans in a tall size, and she told me she was shopping for a work conference. She smiled when she found what she needed, and I noticed how even a small gesture like finding the right fit can really brighten someone’s mood.
Working retail gives you a front-row seat to people’s little moments, frustration, joy, and confusion. It’s all part of the rhythm of the day.
Date: March 11th, 2025
Location: My Apartment, Terre Haute, Indiana
Time:
What I Observed
Tonight I watched an episode of The Sandman on Netflix, a show I’ve been meaning to watch for a while. Right from the opening scenes, it felt visually rich and surreal. The storytelling is layered and artistic, and the main character, Dream, carries a quiet but intense presence. There’s something haunting about the way he moves through each scene, often more observer than participant.
As I watched, I noticed how the show blends fantasy and human emotion. One moment you’re in a strange, dreamlike world and the next you’re watching someone grieve, hope, or fear. The colors are dark and moody, but not in a way that feels lifeless. It feels deep, almost poetic.
The episode I watched explored control, desire, and the idea of what people truly need to feel whole. It sparked reflection about how much of life we try to control, and how dreams (literal and metaphorical) shape our realities. Watching The Sandman isn’t just entertainment. It’s like entering a visual poem that makes you sit with some big thoughts and that kind of media, in our fast-paced culture, feels rare and meaningful.
Date: March 21st, 2025
Location: My Apartment, Terre Haute, Indiana
Time: 9pm
What I Observed
Tonight I decided to have a night in and watch Venom: The Last Dance from the comfort of my apartment. I made some popcorn, turned off the lights, and got wrapped up in a blanket on my couch ready for something loud, ridiculous, and fun.
The movie jumps right into action. Venom and Eddie are back with their usual love-hate, weirdly co-dependent relationship that somehow makes total sense by now. The tone swings from intense fight scenes to sarcastic one-liners, and I caught myself laughing more than I expected. Even alone, it felt like an experience, the kind where you kind of talk back to the screen, react out loud, and rewind a part just to watch it again.
What stuck with me is how Venom leans into the chaos. He doesn’t try to be a perfect superhero film he embraces the messy, unpredictable, and strangely heartfelt moments. Watching it from home actually made it more enjoyable in a way. I could pause, rewind, snack, and really take it in without distractions.
It reminded me that culture doesn’t just live in big theaters or public spaces, it also lives in the way we engage with stories in our own space. Even alone, watching a movie like this feels like plugging into something bigger a shared pop culture moment, even if it’s just through a screen.
Date: March 29th, 2025
Location: Caseys Gas Station, Indiana
Time: 7:30
What I Observed
After 6am lift this morning, I stopped by Casey’s for gas and hot chocolate this and took a moment to just take in the scene. The early morning light made the parking lot glow slightly, and a mix of trucks and sedans pulled in and out in a constant rhythm. A man in work boots grabbed a breakfast pizza slice while chatting with the cashier about a new road project.
A woman in business attire filled her car, then quickly ran inside for a bottle of water and a snack. There’s something about Casey’s that feels local and grounded, it's a place where regulars come every morning and always say “hey” to someone.
The convenience store vibe is fast-paced, but there’s a small-town feel too. A mix of people heading off to completely different days, but all pausing here in the same early-hour routine.
Date: April 8th, 2025
Location: Honey Creek Mall, Indiana
Time: 2pm
What I Observed
The mall on a weekday afternoon is quieter than you’d expect, but it still has its steady flow of life. The smell of pretzels and sweet lotion from Ulta Works floats through the air. A group of teenagers hangs out near the food court, laughing at TikToks and sipping on some Starbucks.
A woman with a stroller stops to look at a display of spring dresses while her toddler tugs at her hand. At the center of the mall, two older men sit on a bench talking to each other.
Stores play their own background music, adding to the layered sound of mall culture. It’s a strange blend of nostalgia and the now people shopping, people killing time, people just being out in the world. Even when it’s quiet, the mall still feels like a place where community happens in unexpected ways.
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