P2PU Task 3

-What is your starting point?

Well, all my work experience comes from 3d art for architecture and exhibitions.
I am very fond of video games and have been studying game design on my own, so maybe I could develop an indie game with a small team to try to get some alternate income… but that would take a lot more studying plus finding the right people.
I’ve been wanting to try to teach English, but I have nearly no experience in that and I’m extremely introverted so I don’t know if I would be able to deal with being the center of attention.
I have studied guitar and music theory since I was 14, so I could try teaching that too.
I am currently studying and experimenting with gardening. I really love bonsai and would like to find a good mentor on that (like mr.miyagi).
I still have some money from my previous freelancer jobs that I think would cover any courses or material that I would have to buy.

-What are the learning steps your path requires?

First of all I think I would have to learn how to live a self-sustainable life.
That would include:
-Nutrition & Health
-Permaculture
-Energy production
Second, where is this all going to take place. I would have to find a spot that is:
-Quiet
-With enough space for permaculture
-With a good soil and weather conditions
-Affordable

-Set milestones and be specific

Next week I’m going to a Buddhist temple for a 4-day retreat. That way I’ll feel a little bit what it is like to stay at a quiet place for a while and see if I miss the city.
These next 6 months I plan on reading as much as I can about permaculture and self-sustainable life style, and meet people who can mentor me on the subject.
Some books that I found and some that were recommended so far:
- Walden: life in the woods – Henry D. Thoreau
- The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It – John Seymour
- Gaia’s Garden: a guide to home-scale permaculture – Toby Hemenway
- The Cook’s Herb Garden – Jeff Cox & Marie-Pierre Moine
- Permaculture: A designer’s manual – Bill Mollison
I want to read one each month and start applying their knowledge to the backyard as an experience.
My grandma has this farm that is nearly abandoned; they are selling it because there is no one to really take care of it. It is too big to care for it myself and there are some family issues on the way, but I see that place as an alternative to start my farm life, I only have to be convincing. So in the next 6 months I’ll come up with a design to revitalize the farm and make it an active investment. That way I think my family will allow me to live there and with zero cost.

-What are the experiences you want to pursue as part of your learning?

I found a 4 week course (spread throughout the year) here in Brazil that is about creating a sustainable community. Next one starts in about a month and I’m thinking about going.
I would like to find one or more mentors on permaculture, I found some communities here that offer a week of voluntary work in exchange for living a while and learning about permaculture. So I’ll be tuned on that to see when the next opportunity comes.