ASHLEY BROOKENS

<h2><strong>How I Roll</strong></h2> <h3><strong>(what I'm up to when I'm not campaigning for an education)<br /></strong></h3> <p><strong>LIBERATION HERB Co</strong></p> <p><a href="http://radicalbirth.moonfruit.com/">http://radicalbirth.moonfruit.com/</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The Novelty UnSchoolbus Project </strong></p> <p><strong>(an excerpt from my ongoing account of our home-creation project)<br /></strong></p> <p>There has been a great deal of (slow) progress on the Novelty UnSchool Bus. (Slow is the new black, in case you haven't heard.) There have been obstacles. But as it comes together, the vision is gathering clarity and the process is one of infinitely unfolding inspiration.</p> <p>I have so many ideas that reach well beyond the actual conversion... I've been gifted with new inspiration in how I teach my children, approach my own work and education (I actually applied at College of the Redwoods last week!) and how other women might be sparked toward self-empowerment. There is also something deeply gratifying in the schoolie's nuts-n-bolts transformation. Although it is an inanimate beast, there is still wonder in giving it new life. She, like many pieces of art, has become symbolic of rebirth, revived inspiration, and renewed purpose. Perfect for a thrity-five-year-old mother.</p> <p>While being moved to share my experience, I realize not every mother wants to do something as dramatically unconventional as repurposing a transportation vessle for stationary housing. Although, as it turns out, the schoolbus&gt;cabin is as utterly safe, secure, practicle, affordable and managable as it is cozy, warm (esthetically and climatically), sanctified and beautiful. But whether or not other people choose my template for their own liberation, it gives them, by model, permission to create something wholly independent; something that works for their own convictions, and their family's well-being. Something aligned with their desire to minimize harm and limit their dependence on unsustainable or exploitative insitutions.</p> <p>NOVELTY, as contextualized by Terence McKenna, can be thought of as "density of complexification and dynamic change as opposed to static habituation." It is choosing something different instead of defaulting to engrained conventions. Allowing creativity and complexity as opposed to reductionism. The Novelty UnSchool Bus has earned her name as exactly that. We experience our unbound potential when we un-school ourselves by learning through direct experience, instead of accepting only prefabricated, preapproved knowledge. Perhaps your expression of Novelty doesn't involve a forty-foot 1986 International schoolbus with solar power and endless on-demand (indoor!) hot water... but I encourage you to manifest it, whatever form it takes.</p> <p>As the great Mind of McKenna assured us, "The history of the world shows that Novelty wins. "</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Weaving</h3> <p>I am the mother of two brilliant daughters, ages three and eight. I am a single woman. The greatest challenge I face as a mother is to co-parent where there is not always co-operation. But I am commited to creating harmony within my children's lives. I consider learning how to encourage harmony within a non-traditional family-structure to be the most important of my learning endeavors. To this end, I have undertaken courses in Non-Violent Communication and Addiction Studies.</p> <p>My life has been completely, voluntarily reconfigured so that I may be present as my children's primary care-giver. This is a profound privilage for both me and my&nbsp; daughters, as many single mothers have to sacrifice time with their children for keeping everyone housed, fed, schooled and clothed. By the generosity of family and community (who hand-down clothing, share meals, actively participate in raising my girls, and lend energy, laughter, and love to us every day); the compassion of my employers and co-workers (who allow my children to come to work with me when needed and are endlessly patient and forgiving of my scheduling needs); and some very creative thinking about how to live a deep, rich, vibrant life without consuming much, therefore spending very little... I feel I have manifested a life of beauty and joy for us. From this place I wish to extend beauty and joy to other women and children.</p>

About Me

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