Days of Brilliance

I've had a fire ignited in my life. The culprit: school, academia. It's infectious. As I apply myself, as I learn to treat my teachers with more respect and as invaluable sources of knowledge, my experience of education is improved.

And playing Capoeira has been so, so fun so far. I've been able to attend two times per week, tuesday and thursday unlike last semester. The second day makes all the difference. The extra practice, information is invaluable. I feel like I'm progressing more quickly than I ever have. I've only ever been able to play once a week the other times I've taken a class. Being there twice each week keeps the energy alive.
Agh, it's fabulous.

So far my favorite classes, in order of favor are: Speech 100 w/ Prof. Shelton Hill, English 100, Philosophy 102, and Anthropology 101. I'm enjoying Hill's Speech class so much that I want to take as many classes from him as possible! I'm even tempted to keep taking classes from him even when I'm a student at Cal State.

Which brings me to another topic: the Fall semester. Where will I be? What school will I be attending? In the past few days I've been feeling very strongly that my place is at Cal State San Marcos.... And not two weeks ago I would have said that I was totally committed, totally convinced that I was going to Italy.

Ha. What a life.

The Scholarship Process

For the first time in three straight semesters as a student at Palomar College, I don't have classes on Friday. Or at least I think it's the first time....
So today, not having school, I've embarked on an adventure to CSU San Marcos to find information about scholarships. I'm especially interested in those that could apply to study in Italy at the University of Gastronomic Sciences (UNISG)
I was sent in circles by various people sitting behind various desks. All were very helpful and, after twenty minutes or so of vacillating between offices I've come to one conclusion. Being that I desire to enroll directly in the three-year Bachelors of Science program at UNISG, my options for scholarship help are particularly focused. I say focused because I'd rather not use the term "limited." The fact is, direct enrollment in a B.S. program is very different than if I were to, say, enroll for a semester exchange at a school abroad. A very crucial, helpful distinction.
All of the people with whom I met here at CSUSM were very helpful and wished me good luck in my adventure.
I was directed to certain databases about which I am already aware thanks to Ben Kaplan's "How To Go To College Almost For Free." Inside, Kaplan does a very effective (if corny) job of laying out a step-by-step plan of action for scholarship searching and application.
So, here I stand and I have a lot of work ahead of me. Luckily, I am not groping in complete darkness. I have, at least, a good idea of where to start and where to go for help if I need it.

Another crucial topic of consideration for me is income. In a conversation this morning with my Dad I was reminded of the benefits of self-employment. And seeing as I have a very strange schedule and would prefer to be my own boss anyways, being an entrepreneur is extremely attractive.
So here's the plan: a direct backyard garden initiation service for the North San Diego County area. Specifically, I (along with my brother Sam) would focus on the communities closest to our house. Namely, Vista, Fallbrook, Oceanside, Carlsbad and San Marcos. I'd prefer not to travel much farther outside of that radius.
The potential for income and growth is huge. Plus, I could easily put what knowledge I already have of backyard gardening to use and, if the need arose, could consult with my Dad for additional information. He is, after all, a veteran farmer and agricultural/horticultural consultant.
What an opportunity!

I KNEW it would rain.

I went to school today knowing it would rain, and dressed for it. It didn't rain in San Marcos until I got out of Anthropology after three, but it was still darned cold (for Ca) before then. I wore two jackets, one water proof, and a scarf to combat the cold. But somehow, people were walking around school in t-shirts and shorts!
What the heck?!
Were they trying to look cool or a certain way or something? I don't know, it didn't make sense to me. I mean I know that some people can handle the cold better than others, so they could wear less. Ok. That's fine. But what if that's not really the case and their just wishing it was summer still?! And what happens when it is summer? What less can you wear?!
Needless to say, when it did end up raining, I was glad I'd worn what I had. And I was again grateful for the multi-functionality of the scarf. Disembarking from the Sprinter at Melrose it was raining a bit and I was listening to my iPhone and my ears were cold. So, not wanting to ruin Sam's headphones from water damage and wanting to warm my cold ears, I pulled the scarf up, around and over my head! Awesome! I know I looked like a babushka for a few but hey, I was comfortable.
I found a lot of beauty in the world today, in people, conversation, the sky, the sound of wind and rain, the sight of lightning, of the blankets of clouds. For me, foggy, cloudiness is comforting. See, I've grown up in sunny southern California and I've become very fond of fogginess. It probably has something to do with my affinity for the Monterey Bay area and its predilection for fog. I have many good memories in that area and a lot correlate to fog. Thus, the fondness.
So, where some of my fellow southern California residents (and especially my friends from the PNW) bemoan the foggy, overcast, marine layered days, I rejoice!

A big lesson for me today was patience, especially in communication. I have so much to learn, that much is readily obvious. I am grateful I get to practice living with four other people here, at home before I do it with strangers. I realize the dynamics will be radically different with those people with whom I will eventually share a dwelling. Yet many basic principles will remain. Careful listening, mutual respect, honesty, collaboration, and so on.
It's a fabulous life I live.

Spring semester sprung

What an awesome, invigorating day I've had so far.
Today was the first day of classes for the Spring semester at Palomar College, San Marcos.
I arrived a couple hours before my first class, English 100, to take care of some things. I had my new ID (or PIC, Personal Identification Card) made, saw and schmoozed with some old friends and went to stand in the financial aid line for a time.
I soon tired of that. There's enough time this week to get back to it.
My English class meets four days a week and in three different, but neighboring classrooms. Today I went to the classroom where we'll meet on Mondays and Wednesdays. The teacher arrived early, after I'd already introduced myself to two beautiful women, and announced the number and title of the class. It being not my class I made this quiet little laugh when she said it because I thought she'd made a joke.
Um, no.
I apologized and fled.
My actual teacher is a riot, seems very entertaining and I'm really excited for the course.
My Speech 100 teacher is phenomenal. He will be, and already is one of the best teachers I have ever had. His first lecture gave us shocking news: our life is our responsibility. And that perhaps the most important thing a student can do is to strive for true learning, or mastery; the fifth stage in the process of learning. The master performs his craft SO well, it is unconscious; a master is so good at what they do they may have a hard time explaining how they do it at all. "All true learning",he said, "happens in the unconscious, not the conscious." Our goal in education should not be the regurgitation of uploaded knowledge but the application of that knowledge.
Needless to say, I'm excited.
My philosophy class also promises to be of mind altering substance. We began by examining arguments and their components: premises and conclusions.
I read the first chapter of my philosophy book in the library, while it was still fresh. The book is Coffee and Philosophy and takes a refreshingly narrative approach to the subject. Plus, coffee is in the title: good omen number one, and philosophy is in the title: good omen number 2!
My final class of the day was Capoeira. It is so good, so good to play again.
This is going to be, and already is a fantastic semester.

Day of Inspiration

Yesterday was a full, inspiring day. It was busy and full of inspiration. I had a nice slow morning; made Huevos Rancheros al José for breakfast. I toasted (and for a bit too long) two quesadillas with refried beans and scrambled 3 eggs. The eggs went on top of the open-faced quesadillas and salsa atop them.
Mom, Dad and I then spent most of the day in the Hillcrest area of San Diego. Dad had a meeting with his boss, Steve. Mom and I went to St. Peter's Episcapalian Cathedral for two lectures. The first was given by Fraces Moore Lappé, a fabulous, long-time advocate, author and revolutionary (works include, Diet for a Small Planet and Hope's Edge). Her talk garnered a standing ovation from me and most of the audience. She speaks of reversing the downward cycle of a perception of lack leading to the concentration of power and a dependence on expert advice and money running politics. Instead, she advocates the active practice of Living Democracy.
We had an hour's break so Mom and I walked the (at this point dry) block and a half to Extraordinary Desserts. There, in a cramped yet cozy nook we shared with two healthcare representatives, we enjoyed a Chocolate Coffee Cake and an Americano apiece. The coffee cake was, well, extraordinary and the coffee the perfect accomplice.
We watched carefully the clock and the weather and to our dismay (which soon became exhiliration) it had begun to pour. We made the block and a half back a bit faster, and quite a bit heavier from having taken on water and dessert.
Matthew Fox, the next speaker, was equally inspiring, tghough for different reasons. His thesis spoke to the re-emergence of the Dark Madonna as a symbol for the balancing chaos, darkness and creativity (right-brain energy) she represents. He also spoke of educational reform and shared two short films from a project with which he's involved in Oakland. One followed a group of "Turf Dancers," the kind of extrapolated, stylized, robot-esque dance I've seen the Amar brothers perform.
The second film was about two graffiti artists and a redirection of their creative energy from criminal to contributive.
Both films were made by the students and reflected a good deal of talent, passion and even background research. For instance, the Graffiti film told us that the word graffiti comes from the Italian graffiato meaning "scratched."
Driving out of Hillcrest was pretty crazy with loads of water on the street. I was glad to have he combined experience of Mom behind the wheel and Dad's navigational support.
On our way north we stopped in Rancho Bernardo at Souplantation where we enjoyed a stunning skyscape outside (tinted lemon merengue yellow) and an incredible bowl of soup (New England Clam Chowder for me) on the inside.
Dad and I left from where we'd dropped his car earlier in Escondido to the Stone World Bistro for a Slow Food meting/interview and Mom headed north to Brook-town for her board (bored?) meeting.
In the course of our being at Stone we: refilled the growler with Smoked Porter ($8, such a good value for two litres!) and had a great informal meeting. I: got to see Rochelle (spl?) Peréz from school, chat with her for a brief few and then got my first official birthday drink offer, from Mr. Greg Koch himself! I was/am tickled. He goes, "So how long?" To which I replied, "Less than 5 months," knowing instantly that he meant how long until I'd be enjoying one of his beers in public. He entered the date of my birthday into his phone (we found out it's a Wednesday) and, after presuming correctly that we'd be there (at Stone) for the event, offered to buy me one of, if not my first beer. I'm so stoked.
So that's been my day; this glorious, wet and wild-ly inspirational day that it was. I've begun a new journal, a new year, today a new semester and I'm feeling renewed. My purpose, my vocation and passion(s) reveal themselves little by little with each passing day. Oh, what a ride.
Life is potential; life is good, potential.

Lessons

Just finished watching a movie on Hulu. It was really, surpisingly good. It was sort of exuding this adult movie film feel based on it's title, it’s called Strictly Sexual and I sort of thought it was going to be a weakly plotted, heavily sexed movie. It turned out to have an endearing, attractive story. It was sort of about real love and a couple of its faces. Some characters were better developed than others and, incidentally, some more likable and believable than others.

Driving through Vista just now I was struck by the fact that I’ve underrated it’s quirkiness, and charm; it’s a deceptively endearing place. I think having grown up here I've taken it for granted, I've become a jaded Vistan. And now I join the ranks of innumerable citizens of places that were only lame in their own minds.
Perfect example: I saw the super tall bike guy; night light and all, cruisin' down the street. At 10:25 PM on a saturday night. It’s the little things. And the potential things. I see a sustainable future for Vista, for North SD County, for the entire region. I see many improvements that can be achieved to improve the overall, and in my lifetime.

I have a lot more to pay attention to this year (e.g. scholarships). This year is going to be about self-discipline.
I was thinking the other day about looking back in my journals from last year to see the ponderings that I recorded, especially where academia and careers are concerned. And then I thought that I’d get whisked away by some old idea and I’d change my mind yet again. So I decided not to. Not that that would happen for certain, it’s just, I don’t want to be dwelling so in the past. I’m adamant about learning from the past, from my experiences and moving forward. I learn from my mistakes and my successes.

I have a huge project ahead of me in the scholarships. I say ahead because I don’t really feel like I’ve gotten into the swing of things yet. I think my next step is to formulate a plan of action. I would benefit from a really well thought out, scheduled plan for processing scholarship applications, staying on top of school work, working, working out and spending time in the garden. I think I can do that without feeling like I’m planning every moment of my life. I don’t like that feeling. I feel like I really excelled with the start I made in time-management in my brief time with Cutco… Perhaps a large calendar like the one I used to keep track of assignments that semester would help… Although, I’d much prefer probing the possibilities of my phone and computer. To have it all wireless, mobile and paperless would be ideal. Especially if I were able to utilize the programs and my devices to their full potential in my situation. In other words, to maximize their features (which do have limits, as unbelievable as it may seem) to my needs.
That might be worth some tinkering tomorrow.
I’m excited by the prospect of doing some martial arts classes over in San Mucus… I wonder if I would be better served at the North County Aikido just up there on Melrose. That way, when I’m not IN school, my dojo would be far closer to home.
It really all depends on the scheduling, budgeting and desire. But it’s definitely worth an investigation.
Tomorrow: I have got to do this PowerPoint presentation and see if I can schedule a night at church to talk about my trip! Perfect, I just so happen to be going to church tomorrow.
And, I’m going to Santa Cruz next weekend, providing Momma Linda (co-worker) is able to cover the Saturday shift for me. It might be asking too much. It all really depends on whether or not her mother can baby-sit. So let’s hope she can baby-sit.
Calendar tinkering before bed.
This day was wonderfully satisfying.

2009 Wrap-up

I've a few things I'd like to share from 2009. The first is a poem I wrote as my final project for Foundations class at the Hilltop Center for Spiritual Living. It's the second time I've taken the class and the difference was very interesting. To have taken the class then and now, as I've grown and matured, the material hit me in different ways and elicited different responses than the first time.

Found
"The play between the present, the eternal now and its fleeting cousin the past, intrigues me. Memory, past's vassal, is autonomous, and works of its own volition. At least for me, memory is selective, and inconstant; to be carefully employed. Observation, self-inquiry, awareness, and being-ness are the loyal friends of the present. These are the tools I cultivate.
There is so much to be learned from the past, much to be enjoyed, disregarded and forgotten. Experiential lessons are deeply useful. They can guide our constructions with the wisdom of our ancestors; lest we make the same mistakes as they.
I'm here to learn, to educate and to love; I feel these are my vocations. I am a brick in the wall; a wall dissolved, whose pieces are stronger dispersed. Like Berlin's the year of my birth, this dissolution is a harbringer of progress. The progress I embody is conscious, multilateral, and diverse. With the bricks of old, new beauty's formed: structures designed to unite and empower rather than divide and conquer. This year many walls fall, in my mind, in society, and in this room.
The second time around, this study in Foundation's met better ground. It's a revolutionary depart from that first ground-breaking. So much is different, and so much the same. The soil's the same, the architect too; his guidance, patience and vision help shape and solidify to make Plato proud. His natural growth and flux serve to break our molds; the foundation's set. Now build! Onward!
So I, a perpetual student, thank you. For lessons and insights innumerable; for gastronomic, philosophic, and euphoric delights, I thank you. Chapters end, foundations in inspiration's form are laid so we may continue building our stories, borrowing from the past what ideas serve our constructions and setting aside our machinations when their function threatens structure's integrity.
We've tools aplenty, their function assured, may we wisely choose the best each time. I commit to constant improvement, of my life and ours. And when it's excellence that is wanting, may I find the strength and patience to strive therefor.
From foundations to our zenith and back, my love for you all is profound. Thank you for a beautiful journey."

And here's a quick list of things (I remember) I did this year.
"Well done! Great job in 2009! You,
did camp in Vernonia and there helped created a huge labyrinth,
gave 20 min. talk at Asilomar in front of 800+,
experienced romantic relationship,
traveled to New Zealand and Australia,
helped created a beautiful backyard farm,
washed the same dished countless times,
spoke at three churches in as many states; in Falls Church, VA; Camarillo, Ca; and Beaverton, OR,
read a number of fabulous books (how many, I don't exactly know),
had a fabulous birthday,
rode in a firetruck driven by one of my buddies,
saw a number of movies; good, great, and terrible,
enjoyed so many wonderful gustatory delights it's unbelievable,
enjoyed so many smiles and thank yous,
served many people, in many ways,
wrote, a lot; poetry and prose,
learned so many wonderful things,
rode my beautiful bike a good number of miles,
saw and heard the Dalai Lama speak,
became a published writer (SOM magazine, August),
maintained great physical shape,
ran 8 mi. straight for the first time,
served as Youth Community Leader (YCL), and Vision Core,
and,
did Yoga almost every morning.

I traveled to:
Denver, CO; Falls Church, VA; Washington DC; Portland, OR; Pacific Grove, Monterey, and Santa Cruz; Camarillo; New Zealand and Australia.

And now....
(more than) 3 Intentions for 2010!
Travel internationally
Enjoy great food, drink and conversation
Meet fascinating people
Serve selflessly
Create
Read 50+ books
Learn to drive stick
Camp/Hike/Climb
Drum up $90,000+ in college money (scholarships, grants, gifts, etc.)
Perform in a play/production

(actually) 3 Things I'll Do for Others in '10
Cook, clean and care for, whenever possible
Do 50 anonymous acts of kindness
Serve in an after-school program or Soup Kitchen, etc.

I release:
Actions that do not serve my highest good
Self-repression
Smallness, and
Lack

I affirm:
Eat, drink, and be Murray
I constantly improve my ability to serve and be served
I am abundant and successful in every endeavor

And so it is.
Until next time.

The Art of Making the Bed

Today I've come closer to mastering the art of making the bed. You might be saying to yourself, "Gee, it sure took this kid a long time." But if you're thinking of the bed in which humans sleep, you'd be wrong.
A more appropriate (if somewhat verbose) opening sentence would be:
Today I've come closer to mastering the art of constructing (from dirt) the raised growing platforms in which we grow our phenomenally delicious and whole foods (I'm biased, I know).
These beds are the building blocks of our Murray Farm on High Mead Circle.
According to a small Bay Area company specializing in this technique, the raised beds we construct are in a style of gardening (or my preference, small-scale farming, I'll get into why later) technique called French Intensive kitchen gardening.
The rationale behind the raising of beds, a somewhat arduous process, is quite simple. The idea is based on the fact that a plant will send roots as deep as the soil density will allow. In other words, the more loosely the soil is compacted, the deeper a plant's roots will be able to plunge. Otherwise, a plant will send its root system horizontally, putting them in competition with other plant's roots nearby in the search for nutrients.
But, by piling soil in long mounds and raking them flat to a height of around on foot, we create a deep reservoir of loose soil in which a plant can send vertical roots. This way, the gardner can harvest "4 to 6 times more produce than from a similar sized conventional garden."
So now you and I both understand the technicalities behind what has become a Murray tradition. It's taken me this long; we've been making beds like these and planting them for as long as I can remember. And I've been making them myself since I was first able.
The part of this process that invites mastery is the raking flat and widening of the bed. This is where things can get tricky, and time consuming. The bed-raker must learn to be very patient. Especially when it comes to the beds that hit 100+ feet. And keep in mind, we're still talking about a small-scale farm.

Let's look at that label for our creation.
We have about an acre of land, with almost as much actual growing space (we have some citrus trees and other vegetation). I feel like it's too big to call a "garden." Not to mention that just the word garden conjures and image of a quaint cottage kitchen garden; a kindly elderly man and woman hunched over working their crops. I like to think our operation has a slightly more sophisticated aura to it. Of course, there's nothing wrong with the aforementioned setting. In fact, I think it sounds like a rather wonderful way to spend my older years.
Nonetheless, the commonalities remain. Both a garden and a (small-scale) farm produce food, and that's what ours is doing. Maybe I'll just use the terms interchangeably; a compromise.

It's so exiting to be growing food. I've begun to understand the true meaning of what we're doing from many perspectives (political, biological, ecological, socio-anthropological, and economic) through the study of current literature on food culture in the US and the rest of the developing world. The result is that my basic interest and desire to be in the garden/farm is increased ten-fold by the passion of an informed activist. And the adventure has just begun. I forsee my young-adulthood to be filled with similar experiences.

That's all for now. Lovely handmade burgers on Spelt buns for din din. Looking forward to that one.
Until next time.