Week 9: I arrived at Bird Song and started the morning by ironing a silk. I had never used an iron before, yet I felt like I should know how. Instead of acknowledging that I could learn, I felt as though I was at a disadvantage and had to learn on my own. I thought to myself, everyone knows how to use an iron, why don’t I? This is an example of the way that our society operates, we think of ourselves as individuals. Instead of learning from each other and recognizing 
that we will never know how to do everything, we have these unobtainable expectations that we are supposed to know how to do certain tasks at a certain age. Then we tend to look for someone to place the blame on, if we do not know. In reality, this is where learning can occur to benefit everyone. I usually feel like a burden if I do not know something that I feel like is a life skill because then I feel like I am placing the burden on someone else to teach me instead of treating it like a learning curve. I hope that children can be raised to understand the importance of learning as a community. Children are individuals with strengths and weaknesses but this is where community can come together. Instead of being upset at what I do not know, it is more productive to just learn!
At Bird Song, there is always plenty to do in the garden. I have found myself raking leaves and creating fairy houses with the little ones. We prepared and chopped the veggies underneath the canopy because of the downpour of rain. During the rainy days it may be hard to convince the children to stay outside. It is important that we acknowledge those children’s feelings but also keep them living within the daily rhythms. On Monday, we chopped the veggies underneath the canopy because of the downpour. As we got the children ready for indoor time, one of the youngest; Cohen, jumps into my arms and I am reassured that this little environment is a home for now. I have decided to continue through winter quarter at Bird Song because I have completely fell in love with the children. After painting, I clean the water cups, brushes and sponges and I am asked to read a story. Children start to gather as I read about a friendly poor old man who gives himself to his community, and never asks for anything in return. A cheap grumpy governor tells him that his house will get torn down because it is falling apart and then his community offers to rebuild the house for him as a surprise! Children continue to pile on top of me on the small couch, all trying to see the pages. I am warmed by their cuddles and read two more stories to them. This is the place I am supposed to be!