wrapping up
It's July 5, well after the end of this Spring's Findhorn Community Semester. I have had some time to think about my experience and now is my time to reflect. It was a wonderful experience, definitely a learning experience that has caused me to grow in many ways. I am more aware of a global perspective of environmental issues. I also gained a new perspective of home. When I drive through the built up mall, shop, and restaurant areas of Franklin, Tennessee I think about how much more beautiful it would be if we could take down the buildings and be more space efficient with our buildings and consumer society. What did Tennessee look like before hills were plowed through to make roads, before dams were built, and before subdevelopments sprouted from the disturbed ground? There are drawbacks to being more aware of negative environmental impacts: I almost feel guilty about driving a half-hour to work, even though my job is wonderful (working at a farm day camp in rural Tennessee). I wonder how I will ever be able to conciliate the active life of a college student traveling from college to two homes and responsible environmental stewardship.
More...
BIKE CARTS!!
alright, so the bike cart project I started about two months ago is nearing completion! I have been asking people around the community who would want one, who is interested in building them, and who could help out getting parts from the store. Also, after asking, many people about welding equipment, a guy's name and number fell into my hand and everything worked out! We welded two carts yesterday, and we are putting the plywood on today. The only step that will remain is painting the cart, of which I don't really have to be here for that. I have had a little anxiety that the project would not be complete before I leave (just 6 days now!). But, all is well :)
Yesterday was also an amazing festival at the local Rudolf Steiner school. There was maypole dancing, lots of great food and snacks, games (mostly for children, and even the kids said I was too old, oh well, the beard probably throws people off!) , and there was a wood working demonstration and books and crafts for sale and on and on! Right now a teacher from the Dar es Salaam Steiner school in Tanzania is doing a teaching exchange, and I got to speak a little swahili with him, nimefurahi sana sasa! I am headed back on monday to hang out and watch some classes in action. I have been interested lately in steiner school education and its benefits within the new sustainability education centers like Findhorn. I have to say, I am a little jealous of kids that get to go through steiner, where school work and play seem to be mixed, and the child viewed in terms of their creative aspirations in addition to the nuts and bolts (multiplication tables, etc.)
More...
creative expression presentation
what an amazing evening last night! for our creative expressions class, we had to put together a presentation for the community about what we learned here at findhorn. not an easy task, since we have done, learned, and experienced soooo much. Our group has been meeting up for a few weeks now, also with the help of our teacher Deborah and her husband Karl (who helped us coordinated the show). We displayed our porfolio's, and put together a 3 hour list of events that kept a good amount of people at the festival all evening! I am incredibly impressed with everyone in this program, the projects where outta this world, so creative and amazing. From Matt's amazing movie about beauty and Nora's journal wall to Charlotte's mind-map and Anna's incredible raw food dairy,sugar,wheat, but not taste free incredibly delectable cake, it was all simply gorgeous.
More...
Something extra!
Dear Friends,
My name is Nora Lindsey, and I am one of the 18 FCS students this semester. I am not an assigned blogger here, and am not really sure if I am supposed to be writing here, but I have my own blog for my family in a separate place, and wanted to make it available to you just in case you are interested in reading what a really wordy lady has to say about her time at Findhorn.
I just also finished my art portfolio, which was the creation of one A4 sheet per day for what ended up being 42 days, detailing (in drawings and writing, in black ink) what happened to me that day, what I did and thought and if there were potatoes to eat. And that will probably be posted on my blog too at some point.
I decided to post this because I was just thinking that as the semester winds down it might be nice to start collecting other people's accounts of their time here so they can be used by future generations of Living Routes folks. I know that when I was getting ready to pack and leave, I got nervous about what I was really getting into, so maybe this extra info will help.
So here! Please read it if you like:
http://norajoan.blogspot.com/
And pictures live here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52159082@N00/
Love,
Nora
Second to last week
Yep, the semester is winding down for me, I am flying home in a week and a half! I have learned so much this semester and I am ready to go home and on to the next adventure! So what is new for me today? Well, this is our last week of classes, so that means that everything is due! We have three reflection papers due, one 'autobiographical presentation' tomorrow to explain our journey and worldviews throughout our lives (for Worldviews and Consciousness class), and a our biggest research paper due on Friday for Applied Sustainability class. I've been working on my Autobiographical Presentation today, setting up a slideshow using pictures to tell stories about myself. I thought that might be more fun for the class than me speaking for five minutes straight about myself.
More...
what a week it has been!
Wow, so I guess time is winding down, or is it winding up?
Every day is a gift and a miracle; I realize how to be with myself and others in more and more positive ways.
This past week we had to finish up a couple papers for our worldviews class, the topics we could choose on our own. I did one on Buddhism, and the other on new age spirituality. Both were fun to write and didn’t really stress me out, I have been studying and learning this stuff anyways, it was just a matter of putting words down to show that we actually learned something here (again, I am realizing how weird "assessments" really are, but acknowledge living routes has to prove we actually did something at hippy camp as some of my friends have come to call it).
So laughing and living, this past week we also presented out group dynamics projects to the group, with Tim's friend Greg present (it is great how our group’s friends that come to visit have had the opportunity to drop in for a session or two with our program, I have heard the following comment from two of the visitors so far "I have only been with your group for a couple days, and totally feel part of the group, I am amazed how much you guys do together, are you really getting credit for this semester????" The projects were incredible, I learned a bunch of new stuff, and was pleasantly surprised when some of my friends presented stuff that I had no idea they were working on, amazing laughs. Brian and I held a forum session, which I am extremely happy with how it came out. I look forward to using this community building tool when I go back home.
More...
Weekend Workshop
Over this past weekend, Brian and I did a weekend workshop on non-violent communication. It has helped me clarify how nvc is applicable to my life, and a lot of other great stuff. In general, I have gained a greater ability to discern what my needs are, and how to connect with myself and others in a way that brings more connection, not separation.
We were able to barter a bit with Leo the trainer, and we did some kitchen clean up at Shambala last weekend and we are going to sand and varnish a coffee table for him, since he cut the price in half !!!
The weather is real nice, and the days are reeeaaal long, more daylight than i have ever experienced.
art of fascination projects and class pictures
Last week we presented our "Art of Fascination" projects. The goal of this assignment was to learn something new from another person in the group that each of us were passionate about. My offering was the guitar, which I taught and helped teach Marga and Seth, and I learned how to make a fire and cook cupcake muffins in hollowed out orange peels. I learned from Amy, who is a girlscout camp counselor in Pennsylvania! We made two fires so fire and we also made a box oven out of a cardboard box and tin foil. Once the box is constructed we can put coals in, which each equal about 50 degrees, then we can cook cakes, brownies, casseroles, whatever in there! It's really cool. The picture below (in MORE) is from the first fire we made, courtesy of Amy :) Some other projects were knitting, tai chi, and slow eating. It was a really fun class time. (click more for other news.)
More...
it's springtime in the pasture, and the grass is greenin up real good
Life is changing dramatically all around us right now. Plants look amazingly different day to day, with leaves popping out and flowers going wild, Scotland is very much alive and it is wonderful to be watching it all happen.
Today was a nice afternoon here at Cluny, spending some much needed time in the garden. I havent gotten my hands grounded (dirty sounds like a bad thing) in a while. Jackie, one of the woman that is on the full time garden staff offered to chat with us about how the experience is going. It was perfect timing, since i have many questions about meditation practices mainly for myself, but i also have a research paper for the group dynamics class where i have to interview at least three people to deepen my knowledge of a subject. WHam, synchronicities all around us when we are tuned in and mindful.
Planted some plants near the bee area that the bees apparently love. I had numerous bees land on me and fly around me, but no stings. I am beginning to see the magic of findhorn, and am curious how western mass will look and feel after this...
politics and whatnot
Today after brunch the Sunday slot presentation was a member of the local Scottish National Party. It was real nice sitting in a circle and asking Richard questions about how, if he gets s elected, plans on dealing with sustainability issues. Energy policy and agriculture came up a lot, and it was refreshing to have a political person so tuned into environmental concerns and localization in numerous ways.
More...
NEXT page
wrapping up
It's July 5, well after the end of this Spring's Findhorn Community Semester. I have had some time to think about my experience and now is my time to reflect. It was a wonderful experience, definitely a learning experience that has caused me to grow in many ways. I am more aware of a global perspective of environmental issues. I also gained a new perspective of home. When I drive through the built up mall, shop, and restaurant areas of Franklin, Tennessee I think about how much more beautiful it would be if we could take down the buildings and be more space efficient with our buildings and consumer society. What did Tennessee look like before hills were plowed through to make roads, before dams were built, and before subdevelopments sprouted from the disturbed ground? There are drawbacks to being more aware of negative environmental impacts: I almost feel guilty about driving a half-hour to work, even though my job is wonderful (working at a farm day camp in rural Tennessee). I wonder how I will ever be able to conciliate the active life of a college student traveling from college to two homes and responsible environmental stewardship. More...
BIKE CARTS!!
alright, so the bike cart project I started about two months ago is nearing completion! I have been asking people around the community who would want one, who is interested in building them, and who could help out getting parts from the store. Also, after asking, many people about welding equipment, a guy's name and number fell into my hand and everything worked out! We welded two carts yesterday, and we are putting the plywood on today. The only step that will remain is painting the cart, of which I don't really have to be here for that. I have had a little anxiety that the project would not be complete before I leave (just 6 days now!). But, all is well :)
Yesterday was also an amazing festival at the local Rudolf Steiner school. There was maypole dancing, lots of great food and snacks, games (mostly for children, and even the kids said I was too old, oh well, the beard probably throws people off!) , and there was a wood working demonstration and books and crafts for sale and on and on! Right now a teacher from the Dar es Salaam Steiner school in Tanzania is doing a teaching exchange, and I got to speak a little swahili with him, nimefurahi sana sasa! I am headed back on monday to hang out and watch some classes in action. I have been interested lately in steiner school education and its benefits within the new sustainability education centers like Findhorn. I have to say, I am a little jealous of kids that get to go through steiner, where school work and play seem to be mixed, and the child viewed in terms of their creative aspirations in addition to the nuts and bolts (multiplication tables, etc.)
More...
creative expression presentation
what an amazing evening last night! for our creative expressions class, we had to put together a presentation for the community about what we learned here at findhorn. not an easy task, since we have done, learned, and experienced soooo much. Our group has been meeting up for a few weeks now, also with the help of our teacher Deborah and her husband Karl (who helped us coordinated the show). We displayed our porfolio's, and put together a 3 hour list of events that kept a good amount of people at the festival all evening! I am incredibly impressed with everyone in this program, the projects where outta this world, so creative and amazing. From Matt's amazing movie about beauty and Nora's journal wall to Charlotte's mind-map and Anna's incredible raw food dairy,sugar,wheat, but not taste free incredibly delectable cake, it was all simply gorgeous. More...
Something extra!
Dear Friends,
My name is Nora Lindsey, and I am one of the 18 FCS students this semester. I am not an assigned blogger here, and am not really sure if I am supposed to be writing here, but I have my own blog for my family in a separate place, and wanted to make it available to you just in case you are interested in reading what a really wordy lady has to say about her time at Findhorn.
I just also finished my art portfolio, which was the creation of one A4 sheet per day for what ended up being 42 days, detailing (in drawings and writing, in black ink) what happened to me that day, what I did and thought and if there were potatoes to eat. And that will probably be posted on my blog too at some point.
I decided to post this because I was just thinking that as the semester winds down it might be nice to start collecting other people's accounts of their time here so they can be used by future generations of Living Routes folks. I know that when I was getting ready to pack and leave, I got nervous about what I was really getting into, so maybe this extra info will help.
So here! Please read it if you like:
http://norajoan.blogspot.com/
And pictures live here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52159082@N00/
Love,
Nora
Second to last week
Yep, the semester is winding down for me, I am flying home in a week and a half! I have learned so much this semester and I am ready to go home and on to the next adventure! So what is new for me today? Well, this is our last week of classes, so that means that everything is due! We have three reflection papers due, one 'autobiographical presentation' tomorrow to explain our journey and worldviews throughout our lives (for Worldviews and Consciousness class), and a our biggest research paper due on Friday for Applied Sustainability class. I've been working on my Autobiographical Presentation today, setting up a slideshow using pictures to tell stories about myself. I thought that might be more fun for the class than me speaking for five minutes straight about myself.
More...
what a week it has been!
Wow, so I guess time is winding down, or is it winding up?
Every day is a gift and a miracle; I realize how to be with myself and others in more and more positive ways.
This past week we had to finish up a couple papers for our worldviews class, the topics we could choose on our own. I did one on Buddhism, and the other on new age spirituality. Both were fun to write and didn’t really stress me out, I have been studying and learning this stuff anyways, it was just a matter of putting words down to show that we actually learned something here (again, I am realizing how weird "assessments" really are, but acknowledge living routes has to prove we actually did something at hippy camp as some of my friends have come to call it).
So laughing and living, this past week we also presented out group dynamics projects to the group, with Tim's friend Greg present (it is great how our group’s friends that come to visit have had the opportunity to drop in for a session or two with our program, I have heard the following comment from two of the visitors so far "I have only been with your group for a couple days, and totally feel part of the group, I am amazed how much you guys do together, are you really getting credit for this semester????" The projects were incredible, I learned a bunch of new stuff, and was pleasantly surprised when some of my friends presented stuff that I had no idea they were working on, amazing laughs. Brian and I held a forum session, which I am extremely happy with how it came out. I look forward to using this community building tool when I go back home.
More...
Weekend Workshop
Over this past weekend, Brian and I did a weekend workshop on non-violent communication. It has helped me clarify how nvc is applicable to my life, and a lot of other great stuff. In general, I have gained a greater ability to discern what my needs are, and how to connect with myself and others in a way that brings more connection, not separation.
We were able to barter a bit with Leo the trainer, and we did some kitchen clean up at Shambala last weekend and we are going to sand and varnish a coffee table for him, since he cut the price in half !!!
The weather is real nice, and the days are reeeaaal long, more daylight than i have ever experienced.
art of fascination projects and class pictures
Last week we presented our "Art of Fascination" projects. The goal of this assignment was to learn something new from another person in the group that each of us were passionate about. My offering was the guitar, which I taught and helped teach Marga and Seth, and I learned how to make a fire and cook cupcake muffins in hollowed out orange peels. I learned from Amy, who is a girlscout camp counselor in Pennsylvania! We made two fires so fire and we also made a box oven out of a cardboard box and tin foil. Once the box is constructed we can put coals in, which each equal about 50 degrees, then we can cook cakes, brownies, casseroles, whatever in there! It's really cool. The picture below (in MORE) is from the first fire we made, courtesy of Amy :) Some other projects were knitting, tai chi, and slow eating. It was a really fun class time. (click more for other news.) More...
it's springtime in the pasture, and the grass is greenin up real good
Life is changing dramatically all around us right now. Plants look amazingly different day to day, with leaves popping out and flowers going wild, Scotland is very much alive and it is wonderful to be watching it all happen.
Today was a nice afternoon here at Cluny, spending some much needed time in the garden. I havent gotten my hands grounded (dirty sounds like a bad thing) in a while. Jackie, one of the woman that is on the full time garden staff offered to chat with us about how the experience is going. It was perfect timing, since i have many questions about meditation practices mainly for myself, but i also have a research paper for the group dynamics class where i have to interview at least three people to deepen my knowledge of a subject. WHam, synchronicities all around us when we are tuned in and mindful.
Planted some plants near the bee area that the bees apparently love. I had numerous bees land on me and fly around me, but no stings. I am beginning to see the magic of findhorn, and am curious how western mass will look and feel after this...
politics and whatnot
Today after brunch the Sunday slot presentation was a member of the local Scottish National Party. It was real nice sitting in a circle and asking Richard questions about how, if he gets s elected, plans on dealing with sustainability issues. Energy policy and agriculture came up a lot, and it was refreshing to have a political person so tuned into environmental concerns and localization in numerous ways. More...
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