I am a carpenter in the making. I began the carpentry two year program in September of 2014. I almost quit a few times, quite a few times to tell the truth. I didn't feel like I was getting it. I didn't want to ask for help. Now, into our second semester I ask for help, tenatively and I feel like I'm starting to "get it". I'm not the head of the class, I'm not even in the middle, however, I'm nudging my way from the bottom of the class. I'm 43 years old and a female in a male dominated career path. I hate mentioning the male/female angle of this career path. I have felt that asking for help from my instructor and from classmates is something I don't want to do because I don't want to look "stupid". I don't want to appear like I am not "getting it" . I would struggle and then the round and round cycle of freaking out because of my struggle, then I felt vulnerable and shame because of my struggle. The circle would go around and around. I love so much about carpentry. I'm loving the smell of wood. I love the feel of wood that is sanded and oh, so smooth. I love the swirls of the grain in the wood. I am really digging the stages from planning a project all the way to the finish. I really enjoy the learning curve of each new power tool and hand tool I handle. I got into this initially because every time I have walked into a house for as long as I can remember, I envision a wall being knocked down, a door added or a new wall in place. I have become very intrigued by off the grid living, the small home movement and living "greener". I want to learn more about sustainability when building and upgrading homes. Let's fix our leaky pipes, get low flow toilets and shower heads installed and do some weather stripping. Plant gardens rather than lawns. Throw your food waste in the compost and get some nutient rich soil in return. I'm reading blogs and websites on how people are living greener in their homes. I am getting so zen with the sanding and focusing on my task at hand. I try to remember to measure twice and cut once, which is not always easy for me. I've always had a scattered mind, my mind has always been in "brain storm mode". I'm not sure where carpentry will take me. I know I am proud of myself for expanding my mind and being courageous. Be well, V