Pregnant ground = full-term taters.

Oh, learning. It happens everywhere, all the time. In fact, I think I learn the most when I'm not in the classroom...and when I haven't set the intention to gain specific knowledge. Amidst informal conversation with friends, while creating kitchen concoctions, on long (and short!) bike rides, and in the fields farming, learning sifts through the cracks. Sometimes life lessons appear subtly...I stumble on new knowledge meditatively or glean insight after reflection of the day's work. For example, last week I dug sweet potatoes at Sulphur Creek farm and remembered how incredible it feels to connect with the earth. Sweet and simple. A quiet realization of interdependence.

Other moments I am hit with epiphany. Kablam! Like, whoa, did that tuber just emerge from the ground and can I really eat it????!!

Certainly, being in an academic program provides the space and opportunity to dive into particular material quickly. This semester, my schedule is pushing me to gain information about birth, babies, and women's health faster than if I were left to develop my own learning plan. Golly, if I weren't in school I'd probably not know how to insert an IUD, perform endometrial biopsy, complete a pelvic exam, counsel a women experiencing bacterial vaginosis, and look intelligently at cells underneath a microscope. This is how it goes: awesome, intelligent reproductive anatomy and physiology teacher asks, "Ever wanted to know about fetal development?" I answer "Oh yes! Tell me more." Teacher says "Here. Now. Learn. Lots. Read these chapters, watch this lecture, study these cases, then process and regurgitate." Next topic: fetal nutrition and oxygen transfer. Then..."Ever wanted to know about placentas?". And onwards. No doubt about it, I'm on the fast track towards becoming a midwife. And I loooove all I'm learning. Some days, though, I really struggle with being part of a program that operates on a fixed schedule I didn't construct. Sometimes, I just want to be on my own, doing the day's work and learning as I go.