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Description
Hello there! I am an environmental engineer that has 14 years work experience in the oil refinery and oil&gas industry as an air quality compliance specialist, working with computers and in processing units. I'm especially nerdy with MS Excel and have hosted a lot of training using MS Powerpoint when needed. I was a licensed P.E. and have previously managed staff as well.
About 10 years ago, I agreed to help my best friend with her publishing project and consequently became familiar with book editing and layout in MS Word as well as tax reporting for a small business in the US that never seemed to make money. I also published a book of poetry! During this time, I traveled a lot, planned a lot, moved several times, and edited children's books for a friend of mine. I also became a certified yoga instructor.
About four years ago, I left my career behind to be an environmental Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines. I worked on environmental education in the local schools and generally tried to convince anyone who would listen to make less non-biodegradable trash and start composting. I also worked closely with an organic farm near where I lived on various projects, including establishing a tilapia fish pond, constructing a seed nursery, and learning about mushroom production and creation of saleable mushroom products. I learned about seed saving, the importance of heirloom varieties, and the need for resiliency in the face of a changing climate.
My two years in the Philippines inspired me to continuing learning more, especially in the realm of agriculture, and I would like to use this workaway experience to enable that learning process. So far, I've worked at a Buddhist retreat center, an olive/cherry farm, a yoga retreat center, a goat dairy farm, a wilderness/adventure lodge, a day program for adults with dementia, and sold honey/bee-related products through this site.
For the last 2.5 years, I have been living and working in a community for adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities in various roles, from being a caregiver to working in the bakery and herb/flower garden, managing our village store and recycling program, and maintaining a database of equipment onsite. I've learned a lot here, but I'm looking forward to traveling again, to meeting you and trading skills along the journey!
PS I grew up on commercial construction sites, as I was raised by a busy dad, so I'm comfortable with tools and construction but not especially skilled.
I've also been around dogs and/or had my own dog responsibility from childhood until moving to the Philippines. Now that I've made it back home, I'm loving the dog companionship!Interests
WritingMusicHistoryCooking & foodAstronomyCharity workHikingMovies & TVPhotographySustainabilityPetsMountainDancingArchitectureLanguagesPerforming artsVegetarian or veganYoga / WellnessVan lifePolitics / Social justice
show moreLanguages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Tagalog: BeginnerMore details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
GardeningSome knowledge of:
Being an elderly companionLife at a FarmstayEco ProjectsHelping around the houseAnimal CareHospitality/TourismCharity WorkLanguagesHelping with Computers/ InternetTeachingAble to teach about:
Creating/ Cooking family mealsMore details about your skills
MS Office
Planning and Organization of Data
Writing
Editing
Dogsitter
Environmental Education/Training
Baking
Cooking
GooglingAge
43
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Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
NoSpecial dietary requirements
Pescatarian/Vegetarian
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Her chores included soap-making, gardening, netting, pruning de-hydrating… read more
When outside retreat days, I helped clean the motel rooms and the main eating area, cleaned gutters, and hauled debris into the orchard for fire prevention. On retreat days, I had assigned tasks like setting out food for… read more