Wednesday, February 21, 2007

HELLO EVERYONE!

Hi everyone!
I'm sorry for the two day hiatus. we had to have the tech people here check our computers for viruses and just got them back late last night. yesterday we woke up bright and early (well, 8 am anyway) and we went on a field trip to the findhorn river. it reminded me a lot of the mayville gorge! it was very beautiful and there were pretty strong rapids along with places to cliff jump. two people in my group actually jumped, despite how cold the water was. later that day a new group member joined us, bringing the total up to 18 people. she transferred here from the eco-village program in india. we had a 'house meeting' with all 6 of us to discuss rules and house etiquette and also to share a little about ourselves so that the newcomer, caitlin would know us. this meeting lasted a long time, probably 2 hours and nobody noticed because we were all enjoying ourselves. everyone in my house gets along really well which is pretty awesome. this morning I WAS ARTISTIC! i went to the pottery bungalow and i made a mug! granted it took a few tries, but its drying now and i will glaze it later this week. i should probably mention that it wasn't made on a wheel as that would take true artistic talent, something of which aunt sue has been blessed with while i struggled to make a pinch pot! :) HOWEVER, i really enjoyed it and it was a good time. today we also helped out the maintenance department by demolishing caravans (trailers) that had been around for 40 years and were no longer environmentally friendly. i got to use power tools and a crowbar! it was pretty awesome. i PROMISE that by monday there will be pictures online!
i had a long conversation with a few people in my group about how i wanted to eventually live off the grid. the more that i thought about or discussed it the more impossible it became. first i would need money to buy enough land to build a house or yurt on and also land to grow enough food to support myself with. then i would need a lot of money to put in solar panels (or wind turbines), a composting toilet, properly insulate it, and generally make it energy efficient. and LASTLY, i would have to be living in an area where i would walk or bike to work (since as of now having a car and being off the grid is impossible) and have a job that would provide enough money for a lifestyle like that.
it was very discouraging.
however, i talked to my roommate charlotte and she helped me realize that 'quarantinig' myself from society is a very selfish thing to do. instead of just taking care of myself, i should be teaching people about what i believe and helping them to become more sustainable. and that made a lot of sense to me.
so once more, all is right with the world. anyway, i need to get ready for dinner as it is 5:36 here.
Jen, aunt sue, uncle cam, and brett; thank you so much for your comments, it's nice to know that people are thinking of me back home!

3 comments:

Sue Apthorpe said...

Hi Page...
Wow!.... I just knew there were more "artistic genes" in our family.....sometimes only starting with a little pot.....:-)...
It sounds like you are off to a good start with nice housemates.
We are all interested in all you are doing.
Love, Aunt Sue

Mom said...

Hi Pagie!
Who says you don't have a talent?! A mug is a great start; make sure you post a picture of it! Don't give up your dream of living "off the grid" (or energy independently)...just get a "real" job, save your pennies and you can do it! There is more than one way to skin a cat.
It sounds like the gorge there is beautiful; I hope you are getting sunshine. I'll bet the water is clean and cold.
Daddy wants to add a note. Love Mama XXXOOO

Mom said...

Page:

this is dad, not mom, but i am using her account. It sounds like you had a great day. If mom and I are paying $xx,xxx for your tuition, you had better have a pretty good beer mug made for me when i come visit. Learn how to use the wheel!
As for livig off the grid, it reminds me of an old saying:
Q:How do you eat an elephant?
A: One bite at time.
So, if you want to live off the grid, you don't have to accomplish it all at once. Take a series of small steps over time, and eventually you will be there.No need to rush.
You will be glad to know that your car is safely stored away and partially covered (for a small car, it takes a lot of bedsheets to cover it!)
Mom and i leave for Cabo in a few days, so you might not hear from us for a while, but we will be thinking of you. Abby is at work--the 6 to close shift. The other day she worked 9 to 6!!!
Peter is out at a movie with RIcky Mullins. Becaue mom was not home for dinner tonight, I had Peter wash the dishes and Nanny showed him, painful step by painful step, how to do it the right way. Washing dishes does not mean a quick rinse and into the dishwasher they go! Aren't you gald to be out of the house!?
I finally saw Letters from Iwo Jima and mom came too--it was very good and the subtitles added authenticity to it, plus it was pretty accurate generally.

Well, that is it for me. I will try not to look too tan when i visit. how many daylight hours do you have now? Wht is your sunrise and sunset? Is your weather still 40'ish?
Love you always. Stay safe and learn a lot.

Love Dad