Ahh me time! That's a phrase you don't hear out of my mouth often. Life, this crazy wonderful life, just doesn't allow for that much “me time”. So I am taking it! Without asking, without worries, and without constraints. It is what it is.
Allow me so set the scene -
On the media player – Carbon Leaf -Shine
“and I'd like to change the world, its easier then changing me”
My house – Laundry on the couch as always to fold, and since it's raining laundry hanging over the vents, in the windows and on my closet doors to dry. Rain won't stop me from not using the dryer!
Jake decided that before bed, after we did the clean up song twice, that the crayons needed to be on the floor. Time to color, not go to bed. I went with it, I like to color too!
Dinner – I put what leftovers we had in the fridge, started to clean up the dishes, but stopped to give Jake a bath, do the brush teeth song, the clean up song (twice) and read. Coloring, reading and singing are a big deal in our world.
As for me – I'm still sporting the work clothes, drinking coffee, leg up, kicked back in the computer chair. Zoning in and out of this while listening to the shuffle on the media player. Tommy is at school, Jake is off to dream land, and I am taking what time I can get. Sure I could/should be packing my lunch, reading my school books, laundry, dishes, showers, papers, whatever.....but I'm not gonna do it, not yet at least. I have made myself a promise. Just take some time to write it out, whatever “it” is, and clear my head. So much is going on up there that some clarity is needed. Even if it is only incoherent ramblings to everyone else.
I rationalize blogging as a way to help me with the writing process. A way to help me with essay writing. For those of you that know me you know that my mind is all over the place ALL the time. My writing usually comes out that way too. I have a hard time keeping organized all that thoughts I want to get across, turning most of my papers (to me) into an unorganized mess. The point here is that I need a reason in my mind to make time to “blog” and if I make it about school and essay writing I can justify it. Also I just need an outlet for the randomness that is my mind
So where to begin this blogging thing......
I started school this week. Principals of Horticulture on Monday nights, 4 season food production on Wednesday nights and an on line IT class to start to fill some of the Horticulture degree requirements. I am worried about taking 3 class, and then again not worried at all. With the mindset I have been in this last year, I feel like I can kick the worlds ass and take names. I am so in the lets get this shit done mood, its not even funny. I think/know Jake has a ton to do with that. He is such a motivator for me. No more playing around, do something, be something, take it on.
I'm not really sure where I am going with this school thing just yet. I mean I have my ideas, but as for jobs after its over, I'm not really sure where my degree(s) will take me. The community college I go to offers a standard Associates of science in Horticulture. They also have certificate programs in Sustainable Agriculture and Landscape design. Then there is a transfer program that I can do, that is an accelerated masters program, where at the community college level I would get an associates of science, transfer to VCU and work towards a bachelors of Science and with in a year of that have a Masters in Environmental Science. Got all that? Right good.
So now here is what I want to do. I want it all. Most of all I want both certificates in sustainable ag and Landscape desgin. Why? My first thought upon entering school was that I would like to be involved in helping young families (such as my own) learn to live more sustainable on what little land, decks, back porches they had. Sustainability can be accomplished on a budget, on rented land, on your terms etc. I thought about becoming an ext agent and holding classes, writing about and teaching on sustainability. To become an ext agent you need a masters in your field. Hence the masters program.
They landscape design aspect came into play after I read more about Permacultue. I love Bill Mollison (http://www.scottlondon.com/interviews/mollison.html). Permaculture fascinates me. Basically it is putting into place systems, not just food systems, that make your land work for you, and those systems work for and make better use of the land. I love the idea of using all of your space(ie front yard, back yard, roof,) to grow food and materials for your family. Screw having a perfect lawn. Grey water systems, chicken tractors...see what I mean about rambling. Back to what I want to be doing. I would love to be involved in Community projects that set out and revitalize existing neighbor hoods and city's making them as sustainable as possible. See where the design comes into play. There is also opportunities around the country to become certified in Permaculture design. Which I plan on getting in to once it is financially possible ;).
VCU also has a degree program for Urban studies. Which is pretty self explanatory, the study and design of urban areas.. So this is where I confuse myself. Do I work towards the generic associates(with both certificates)/bachelors of science, and go for my Masters in Environmental Science. Or do I work toward a associates of science in Horticulture still getting both certificates (making me an expert in plants), go towards my Bachelors in Urban studies, and THEN go after a masters. Meaning I would not be in an accelerated masters program. And after all that would I be able to get a job? And what would I do? The things I want to get into all seem like pipe dreams right now (remember radio school). Good intentions only get you so far.
I really need to sit down with an advisor at the college, hash all of this out. Don't get me wrong I KNOW I have a lot of school to get though and I am ok with that. I realize that I will not have all of this tomorrow, and next year, hell next week, my plans could change. I am more relaxed about all of this then you think. I am enjoying the whole process and learning SO SO much. Even if after all of this if, if all I accomplish is providing a healthier life for my family, reduce my impact on the world I am leaving behind for Jake, and show my neighbors a few things I will be fulfilled.
I am taking much more time to just enjoy the beauty that is my life and the world around me. Learning to be content with whereever it may lead me.
Now I am going to go enjoy some time with my love....”me” time was excellent. Hope to do it again sometime.
