Confessions of a Lifelong Learner: Summer Skool '24

 Aloha Reader!

As you could surmise from my official LinkedIn professional resume, you'll see I'm a lifelong learner, often opting for a traditional college route. 

Interestingly, during the summer of 2024 while I was surviving/living in my car... the universe sent me experts in many subject areas - from EPO/blood-doping (restaurateur Keith, who lives on Silverstrand Beach) to surfing (Pamela, owner of a SoCal surfing company). Check out my other blog: “Behind the Scenes with Heidi” for more details on these exchanges!

I casually leaned into conversations for hours with folks, with no time pressure, as by this time, all of my accessible money and credit had been spent and I was living moment to moment, day to day.

Oh, and isn't it just so interesting & ironic, during this time, that the Ventura Sherriff Department commented I had the best mental health in the county, when they met me? Yep, Officer Molina stopped by, tapped on my window one morning, after my ex filed a missing person report. My response: "I'm not missing." I can laugh now - but wow, readers, the BS has been unreal! After this particular conversation with three law officials on Island View Ave, they mentioned they spoke to the Redwood City Police dept and "everything was fine." You may be thinking wow "this woman has heard it all." and you're right - I have! Just about!

Reflecting on the summer mentors and teachers I had, even though many did not offer me anything other than a listening ear, their time was appreciated. Each person gave me confidence to keep going, and by golly, here I am today! 

Other industries I learned about last summer in-depth: military training, “man camps”, boating, shipping, antique cars, transportation, international business, MX shipping & distribution, farming, Hollywood/documentaries, fashion & photography. On a funny, nerdy note, If you are familiar with the NAICS (business classification coding system) as I am well-versed, I probably learned 90% of the codes/businesses! 😆

It wasn't until recently did I get my notes I kept from the summer and it's a gratitude practice for me to review the post-it's, mini-pads and notebooks I kept from those days. I didn't jot notes from every convo, but a lot and I treasure them to this day.

In a way these mentorship lessons reminded me of an informal "Trail Momma" school/program I drafted during the pandemic for my son. When all the schools shut down in 2020, including his Montessori preschool, I came up with a learning program that I thought should be standard for children: focused on community, physical health/movement, meditation, nutrition and more. We were supposed to depart for a “pilot program” / Maui vacation in August 2023, but unfortunately I was hospitalized and needed PTSD counseling. (And then, well, if you've been reading my blog to date, you'd see, we never made the camp happen.)

Throughout my journey, I've met many folks who became successful without graduating high school or college. And how cool & ironic - some of them became my best teachers.

Whatever you do and where ever life takes you, don't be afraid to stumble and learn something new!

With Aloha,

Heidi