Yes, I really can use that Environmental Studies degree!
August 26, 2008
I received the ASID Daily Digest in my inbox this morning and perused it as I do every morning. This morning I found an article from the New York Times particularly interesting. It was a profile on Umbra Fisk, an online column writer grist.org. I found it interesting because for years I wondered what the heck I could do with and Environmental Studies degree. I learned a lot about global warming, public policy regarding the environment, the psychology of the environmental movement, ecology, chemistry, biology. I felt knowledgeable about environmental issues, but also felt like I was never taken seriously…I mean, who thinks anything of an Environmental Studies degree?! I was thrilled when I decided to go back to school for Interior Design and the field of green/sustainable design was just catching on. I felt like I could finally have a career where I could utilize what I learned about environmental studies. At times, I still feel like I have to prove myself, but I am glad to know that there are others like me blazing a trail. We aren’t just passionate about the environment, our planet, and saving it for future generations, but we are knowledgeable about it because we (I) studied something that I really enjoyed learning about (thanks, mom and dad…and Ryan the second time around).
A Sunday visit to an Eco-Brewpub
June 30, 2008
The tradition of visiting Portland brewpubs started when I was pregnant last year. Sounds kind of odd, I know! My husband, Ryan, and I were stumped for things to do on rainy Sundays. We came up with the idea of visiting family friendly brewpubs around Portland…Ryan could taste the beer and I could eat the food (because at that time eating was all I wanted to do)! On occasion, we would meet friends for the festivities and other Sunday’s it was just the 2 of us…planning for the arrival of our little one.
Yesterday we made a visit to Portland’s first Eco-Brewpub, Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB). We met our friends who have a 3 year old and we brought along, Reece, our almost one year old. Of course, we were seated in the family friendly area of the restaurant which includes a play area for the kiddos. The space was originally a repair shop for Caterpillar bulldozers and was later used as office space. Although the space is not LEED certified, the owner and brewmaster has made “every effort to protect ‘our’ future”. The menu includes organic beer and sustainable food, both of which our party was very pleased with!
