Senior Project

Greeted by the glorious mountains of the Teton Range and its many inhabitants I drove and drove until reaching what would be my home till mid-August. The Teton Science School Kelly Campus was everything I had expected and a bag of chips. Frankly it was a spectacular view with spectacular hosts. I walked around briefly looking lost until I found a building labeled the main office. I opened the rustic wooden door to find the office abandoned, but to my left I overhead a teaching session. I stood and listened intently like a creeper in the foyer hearing: "How do you distinguish a grizzly bear track from a black bear track?" asked a TSS graduate student to the group of students. The door to the room was closed so I just stood in the office ease dropping as curious of the answer as the students. One bright student rung out "the size" and the graduate student remarked back, "well, did you know that a black bear can almost mimic the grizzly bear track in size so what other characteristics can we think of?" I was immediately impressed! Shortly after my ease dropping session I preceded my wanderings around the log-cabinesque campus and found myself at the dining hall greeted by April the program director sitting with a small group of Antioch students. April immediately stood up from the table and put her right hand out introducing herself, and as if she already knew me responded "you must be Grant" before I had a chance. Again, I was impressed! In the few hours that I have been at the TSS Kelly Campus I have experienced nothing but friendly people and agoraphobic landscapes, and I look forward the months of learning ahead.
Written 5/30/2006...stay tuned for pictures!

"Sweet hair do"

So spring fever is here as you can tell by my new 'do'. Tony Piccine 'The Italian stallion' aka Ton's did the honors of chopping off my mop. It is a drastic change...I have never had a bald head my whole life. This is probably as close as I am going to get until my photo show April 25th. I have been getting some seriously funny reactions around campus, but overall people like it. School is slowly coming to a close and I am still in a full throttle search for an Env. Edu. program that I can do my senior project. If anyone knows any programs e-mail me at grantwill@gmail.com.
See you on the moon,
Grant

To Be a Kid Again~~

Setting:
5:30pm: Vang Veing, Laos. I am sitting in a rice field watching as the late sun rays set the land slowly afire. The sound of young girls singing to the top of their lungs fills the moist air; hunkered down in a rice field water drainage the young girls are safe to be themselves. Their singing will often be broken as they get distracted by a birds call and with curiosity mimic it. What spirit, what love, and what enjoyment of life. These girls are radiances of light and a reminder for me to be excited about living.

Reflection:
Life is fun, fruitful, and a new journey everyday. Laughing, crying, and enjoying the little things with curiosity that often dies with age and domestication. Daydreaming, thinking out loud, and experiencing imaginations more powerful than LSD [not like I would know]. To be a kid is to take enjoyment in life, soaking up and sometimes tuning out the world around you and creating your own.

Written on 1/27/2006 Photo-Independent Study

Just 'chillin'

Well, for all ya'll out there in the 'real' world keepin it 'real' here is a few funny pictures of my life back in the days of Prescott summer monsoons. Lazy days...hangin out on the front porch and searching for water holes to keep cool. If any of you end up coming to this amazing school I would highly recommend spending a summer here.
These photos were taken by the woman, the myth, the legend, the amazing friend, the beautiful and talented photographer Emily Fitzgerald. Check out her website at www.efitzgerald.com!!

Stolen Bike in Laos story

The stolen bike and the moments before and after--I was free cruising with the wind in my face, up and down the streets of Luang Prabang on my two wheeling machine. Not a worry in the world, and just soaking up the sights around me...life was great and it sure radiated in my aura and smile. I stopped to buy some sugar cane stick from a young girl on the street, and then proceeded on my adventure. I saw a monastery approaching in the distance on the dusty road, and became immediately interested in hanging out with the monks or novices there. They were curious as even, and they loved the picture of Sarah (my younger sister), which I brought with me almost everywhere. I enjoyed their company and they enjoyed mine. There were two monks who spoke relatively scattered English, and my Lao was not to par to even carry on the most simplistic conversation. So we spoke English with a mix of gestures. After spending some time there maybe an hour or so I decided it was time to mount my bicycle; however, as I walked outside of the walls of the monastery to locate my green machine I found only empty space where it was parked. It was gone along with my sugar cane and a sunlight filter for my camera. I didn't freak, but was more confused at why someone would steal a bike parked at the entrance of a monastery. I decided it would be best to go tot the tourist police. So I did and found out that they didn't give a rip about my bike or my story...they hardly spoke English. I remember the officer saying that the bike rental places in the city were not even permitted to rent out bikes...so I was now in an ethical and moral dilemma. Go back to the bike rental place or not? What would you do? They didn't have my passport number, full name, or my current residence. I still did have the key to my bike lock (which was locked) that I could return to them. Well, I want to hear from ya'll...what would you do? E-mail me at grantwill@gmail.com.

Laos postcard written to homee's in MO...flashback

Friends and Family,
I only recommend traveling in the third world for those of you seeking language barriers, drunken locals, impossible public transport, explosive diarrhea, electricity for only three hours a night if you're lucky, and the most amazing moments in life. My travels in Northern Laos have been the most challenging and enlightening portions of my journey; though Thailand was nice it's nothing compared to the remoteness and lack of infrastructure in Laos. (''I love it here'') The local people are inviting, sharing, and the most charismatic characters I have encountered anywhere...I have numerous humorous stories to share with all of you once I return. My primary mode of transport has been by river boats--if you would like to break out the atlas and retrace my journey I crossed the Thailand border (Feb. 9th) at Chang Khong to Houayxai (Laos) then to Louang Namtha (2 day boat journey) to Muang Sing to Oudomxai to Muang Khoua to Muang Ngoi (By boat) to Nong Khiaw (By boat) to Louang Phabang (By boat), and this is where I am am now and finally have 24 hour electricity, hot water, and internet. Thanks to Janet Rose (aka mom2) you all get these details she keeps asking me for. Hope all is well.
Blessings,
Grant

Self Portrait

So I figured that ya'll would appreciate knowing what I looked like...this is for your entertainment. Just chilin on the plad learning the guitar. Taken 3/7/06. More photos on the way. Spring break plans are currently shapping up...I will let you know when I make a decision on where I'm planing on hangin.
Peace and hair greese,
Grant

Up and coming...

For those of you who have been checking periodically on my blog I apologize for the lack of posts. However, ya'll better get ready for some amazing reflections from Thailand and Laos...coming soon.
Life in Prescott is currently like running on six cylinders if I'm a v8, so life could always get busier. We got some RAIN yesterday after a 145 day drought, which I believe is the longest no precipitation record in Prescott history. ALL THOSE RAIN DANCES AND DRUMMING CIRCLES PAID OFF! I am leaving tomorrow for an Ecology field weekend at the Santa Maria River where J-tree's and Saguaro cacti grow together, and according to the master Bob Ellis it is the only place in the world where this occurs...I think. It should be an awesome trip! Hope ya'll have a wonderful exploratory filled weekend.

Degree Plan

So those of you lucky folk who end up stubling upon this college and eventrually attending will get the wonderful opportunity to complete a degree plan. This plan is a compolation of trajected classes, classes you have already taken, and a description of your compentence and breadth. This is an example of my competence and breadth descriptions.

COMPETENCE TITLE: ES with an emphasis in Environmental Education

Brief Competence Description:
I intend to pursue environmental education as my focus in Environmental Studies because of my passion to share the knowledge and skills I have gained at Prescott College with others. My competence is an integration of Environmental Studies, Adventure Education, and Education that form an interdisciplinary degree based on my personal and professional passions. This mixing of programs includes a special focus on field-based environmental education because it proves to be a very effective venue for teaching Environmental Studies. With this field-based approach, I strive to develop an ecological literacy in my students.

BREADTH TITLE: Arts & Letters

Brief Breadth Description:
An investigation of Arts and Letters will help foster self-directed creativity in one’s life through music, writing, literature, and visual arts. Arts and Letters will expand one’s ability to see environments from a holistic perspective, looking beyond societal norms. At Prescott College my motivation to pursue an Arts and Letters program breadth is focused in my passion for photography, which is a highlight in my Arts and Letters study.

So, for those of you that have been keeping up with my blog...well, there is not much keep up with it. I don't think I have blogged in over a month due to the crazyness in my schedule, life, etc. However, if any of you want to call and chat you can reach me at 1 877 350 2100 ex2108 or option 1 and ask for Grant.
Peace and hair greese,
Grant