First Blog

Hello there! If you are reading this blog you are one of the few chosen to view my personal blog. I decided to start a blog because I feel like I have embarked on a new time in my life--almost feeling reborn. This journey started after graduating from SF state and spending 3 months in the Sangre de Christo Mountains(NM). My time here was the first time in my life I felt true freedom and the feeling that 'the world was my oyster'. My enthusiasm for exploring and learning felt refreshed. Everything just seemed so clear and simple in those mountains--be kind to the earth and people, be open to new experiences and seize the opportunities to learn new skills. Living in the forest for months with limited clothes and supplies really changed my ideas of living simply and helped me to analyze my consumer tendencies.
During my time in New Mexico I began painting watercolors-which I discovered Im actually decent at. One of my tasks on my 'bucket list' is to learn to play fiddle, and in New Mexico a gracious staff member allowed me to practice with thier violin and I taught myself to read from a beginning fiddle book. I fell in love with the fiddle and bought one at a antique shop in Raton, NM. Since it has been repaired I have been learning new songs and joined a bluegrass jam group while I was living in Sacramento.
But one of the most poignant discovery happened while reading the book "Deschooling" by Matt Hearn. I bought this book before I left for New Mexico due to my growing distrust in public schooling. I didnt know that this book would change my life! Looking back Im so grateful that I read it at that specific time. Basically the book compiles articles critiquing compulsory education and demonstrating the efficiency of democratic schools. There is a whole range of democratic schools which are schools that allow the child freedom. They do not have curriculum, tests, or grade but allow the child the freedom to learn at their own pace and following the ebb and flow of their motivation. Its ironic to me that although we live in a society that preaches freedom, it is completely absent from our educational institutions and ideas of child rearing- as if freedom is something to be obtained later in life. The idea that children cannot make decisions for themselves permeates our society. How about instead of viewing the child as 'inferior' why dont we accept the fact that they can make decisions for themselves and just like other humans- they can learn from mistakes and consequences of their decisions. Of course there is a difference between freedom and license(Summerhill). One is allowed freedom to live how they like as long as it doesnt affect the freedom of others. This entire book was really an "Ah-Ha!" moment for me. It just made so much sense to me. I always got along better with children and felt awkward enforcing rules that I didnt believe in. My recent experience working in a Montessori school really cemented my feeling that I could never work in a coersive environment with children again. This book changed my life, molded my ideas of education and jump-started an exiting journey to unexplored territory.
I apologize for the super long entry but felt it was necessary to explain. This blog is to share new experiences and ideas that I discover on the journey of self-actualization.

Thank you!