Life long learning...

What is learning? I believe it is something we do everyday, even if we are not aware of it.

Many think 'learning' is restricted to the classroom environment, but I disagree. The classroom is just one effective tool and is not the only way we absorb and digest knowledge.

I have always been a hands on learner. I learn more by experience than from out of a book, though I do love to read and have done so for many years, whether it be the latest Tim Winton, the daily newspaper or New Idea.

I have a passion for cooking and am known for my epicurial creations, but my ideas do not come from cook books. Most of my ideas have been grabbed from walking through fresh food markets, talking to people, cooking shows on tv, eating at restaurants, experimenting and just being enthusiastic enough to persevere and improve, wanting to impress whoever I am cooking for.

I also love to travel and have been lucky enough to have ventured around many parts of the world. I truly believe travelling is THE most powerful way to learn, as long as you don't restrict yourself to package tours or the Contiki style "let's get drunk and see a new country every day" experience.

My best experiences have come from spontaneous visits to out of the way places, staying with residents of different countries and opening my mind to new foods, new experiences and talking. Language has never been a problem for me...I love the challenge of making myself understood. I'd talk to a brick wall if it answered back, so enjoy nothing more than meeting new people in far away places.

Now I see myself in a traditional classroom, with the goal to not only learn more about an industry I am interested in, but also to learn about myself and to extend my abilities. This has also been a personal challenge for me to 'finish something', which has been an issue I have battled over the years.

The course has been engaging and inspiring. I believe the speed and 'realness' of what we are doing has kept me motivated, interested and hungry to learn. I feel I have developed new skills and have been empowered to embrace more traditional study, unlike before.

I know that, when I have finished my Diploma of Public Relations, there will be a sense of satisfaction, pride and achievement. I wont be surprised if I am compelled to continue studdying, now that my confidence in myself has improved.

Part of my inspiration has come from my friend Linda. Linda works and studies at the University of Rochester, in the US.

I first 'met' Linda on an international parenting web site. I always enjoyed reading her posts and we formed a bond through having similar views.

I eventually met Linda a few years ago. I visited her and her family in December 2008. There had been massive snow storms, and we were pretty much locked in for days, as the main roads in her area were closed. We learnt all about 'lake driven snow' and how to shovel drive ways.

Most importantly, I learnt you were never too old to continue to achieve.

Linda is always studying. She has degrees on top of degrees, and she STILL studies to better herself. Linda works with the sign language/deaf students at the Rochester University. He dream is to make a difference.

I got to visit Linda again, late last year. This time we got to enjoy the gorgeous remains of the Summer in Rochester.

Linda is now studying ways in which education can be improved. This is her passion. She has managed to juggle her studies with working full time for the deaf, raising 2 children on her own (one with special needs), an ugly divorce case, the recent death of her father, and losing her family home to the banks.

We chat frequently online, and I am so inspired by how Linda has proven there are no excuses to finding time to study and learn, or to do whatever in life you find important.

I know that Linda will make a difference!