studying again

I am deep into the books again! When I graduated from college years ago I was happy with my degree and what it had given my life and how it had opened doors. Also I was glad when it was over, that's for sure. Studying is a serious full-time job at times, if you want to succeed. I think back to those years of working late nights and waking early to go to class, studying in between school and work, and still juggling life, friends, and family. It made me strong to push myself like that, and it made me really appreciate what I was working for.

I am a student again, after many years off. Only this time it is quite different. I am not going to the campus and taking multiple choice exams, jumping through all the bureaucratic hoops, paying the life savings away. This time I am a student of Permaculture Design. 

Being as I'm from Portland, a super "green" city, and also that I was raised by my folks who are conscious of the environment in many decisions they make, I have always been inclined to use creative and sustainable means for achieving my goals. I have had humble backyard gardens in my city apartments, grown my own herbs all year round, and spent hours dreaming about the day when I'll have my own piece of land to cultivate in the ways that I believe are the most responsible and effecient. 

I was able to take this intensive Permaculture Design Course here in rural France with hands-on, one-on-one training, and lots of time to work on the land and see these principles in action. Being as this is something I've been interested in for a long time, the book work isn't even that tedious! I am happy to glean as much knowledge from those who are educating me, before I head out into the world and develop my professional endeavors in this field. 

With that being said, I am busy! I am coming to the end of a month here on this lovely farm, and I am in the final stages of the course, the stage where I am doing my first design. It is very involved and complex. There is a lot of land surveying, elevation plotting, wind, water, and energy assessment. I am spending a lot of time on "my plot" these days, taking measurements and just brainstorming ways that I can use these patterns in nature to better design a sustainable and self-sufficient off-grid homestead. 

I am not a very good artist, so the drawing is difficult for me, but I will improve, that is for sure, for it is a drawing intensive line of work. There are plans for the house, the shop, the greenhouse, the ponds and wells, the gardens and orchards, the collection and storage of water and electricity, the waste and recycling plans, and oh so much more! Maybe someday I'll hone in my skills to look something like these:

Also there is a lot of basic math. I used to be quite good at math, as I recall. I got all A's and made it to calculous without going crazy, but my oh my, that was years ago! I decided that I would get all my required math and science college courses out of the way in my first year so I could focus more on foreign language and liberal arts courses. Now I am having to recall simple things like creating scales for maps and how to draw right angels. ugh. Where does all that knowledge go? I'm gettin' it back! 

So spread the word all ye blog readers, that in the not so distant future this woman will be ready and willing to take on your projects, small and big, to create a healthier planet with healthier people and to set a good example for the future generations. (that is if we don't all perish this year, as the Mayans predicted--wink wink).

the woods in which we did a forest walk for the course. this is my classroom! i'm a happy lady...

Much love from France, N -- now I gotta get back to the books!