Winter Summary of Learning
As the winter season draws to a close, my second quarter of our program also concludes. By centering my attention on balance, I found this quarter to be more fulfilling and less frustrating than fall. Confident in my journey and steady on my path, I immersed myself in a variety of activities while maintaining my focus on the yin of winter.
Student teaching, previously my most satisfying program component, proved quite a struggle during this session. While Mr. Holliday's students again warmly welcomed me into their classroom, my boss met my need for flexibility with some resistance making Thursdays awkward and uncomfortable; however, my reflections at the end of the day would reveal a rather fine day. I had the opportunity to work with students in an academic classroom, and best of all, we had fun discussing two of my favorite subjects, grammar and writing.
Throughout the quarter I have been fascinated by Hirsh's focus on Chinese culture, writing, and art. After participating in our painting workshop, I could not bare the cancellation of our class field trip to Volunteer Park , so I decided to journey solo. I usually feel a heightened anxiety when traveling to the big city, but I find that true growth does not occur within one's comfort zone. I arrived to the museum unscathed with no expectations of how my day might progress.
My mother instilled in me a great sense of appreciation for antiques and for the precious past. As I strolled quietly through the museum, I felt an overwhelming respect for the artists whose works have survived many decades and whose energy has intersected my path. I was awestruck by the intricate nature of the pieces, and I tried to imagine how the artist must have felt while transcribing his/her vision. I have never had a taste for Chinese art, but by visiting the museum, I discovered the beauty and grace in silk scrolls and my preference for more detailed paintings over watercolors. My adventure to the Seattle Asian Art Museum was an enriching experience.
A great asset to my yin energy this winter has been my dream pillow. ‘Dream pillow construction night' ranks as my favorite class thus far this scholastic year. Not only did the quiet social time with my fellow classmates boost my morale, but the acts of thoughtfully mixing the ingredients and carefully sewing the pillow were very therapeutic and mind calming. Granted, much of the euphoria could have been created by our aromatic environment that evening. Overall, I have experienced many positive results from using my dream pillow. With sharper images and more vivid colors, my dreams allow me to reflect on them with greater detail and with deeper understanding.
Lavender, a dominant note of my dream pillow, entices me with its fragrance, uses, and horticulture. I read numerous texts rich in information and visual imagery. Like the Chinese paintings displayed in the museum, the photography in these research texts embodied the essence of lavender with such glorious detail.
Whether working on campus alone or with my group, I found great joy and clarity in my winter gardening tasks. At the Longhouse Ethnobotanical Garden , I spent two full Sunday afternoons weeding, pruning, and cleaning. My areas of greatest interest were the oyster bed and the sidewalk edges. First to arrive, I spent a couple of hours each outing working alone bonding with my environment. During my second gardening adventure, two young deer seemingly without a care in the world ventured to the Longhouse, and for quite some time, they grazed undisturbed by my many activities. As folks from my group arrived, they generally chose to join in my efforts. Together we completely weeded the oyster bed and cleared the sidewalks giving the Longhouse a more inviting ambiance.
For my personal garden project, I hope to restore my overrun and neglected focal area in the center of my circular driveway. An assignment requiring me to take time for dreaming, envisioning, and planning for all things gardening is by far the most perfect assignment this senior has ever experienced. For many past winters, I have struggled to find the guilt-free, ‘me' time necessary to thumb through seed catalogues, to work obsessively with graph paper and colored pencils, or to just sit looking out the window and visualizing all that could be. The garden project has renewed my anticipation for spring, and I am now ready for longer, warmer days more hospitable to outdoor activities.
Working steadily throughout my winter journey, I have acquired a new sense of confidence within the full-spectrum of my path. I have successfully balanced the duties of work and home while enjoying the numerous responsibilities of my education. While exiting winter, I foresee a glorious spring.
