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Profile information
Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Activities i am interested in:
I am looking for opportunities to give and share what I know, hone my skills, learn new skills, make life-long friends, visit places I haven't been, and explore the road less traveled.
My next destination:
Oregon, United States - from Jan 2024 until May 2024 View allDescription
Hello, my name is Nickolas, welcome to my profile. I'm a native Oregonian and I am embarking on a journey of volunteering. I've always wanted to work my way around the Americo, meeting new people and having adventures... so I decided 2022 and 2023 is the year to do it!
To describe myself I'd call myself an even-keeled optimist, adventurous by nature, and enamored with the beauty of simple things. I'm naturally curious, good at learning new things, auto-didactic and resourceful. I enjoy working outdoors, and desire to do work that adds positive energy back into the environment around me.
I believe in love, I think gratefulness makes the world go round, and kindness is a balm for the soul. I'm a good listener, I try to be a conscious communicator, and get along well with people. Grew up in a large family on a farm, and am good with animals and kids of all ages. I love nature and the outdoors as much as a cozy evening around a fire. I try to never go to sleep at night without having improved myself in some way, and without having made the world around me better in some way, no matter how small or large.
I really believe in grid-independent living. I believe in local-first, giving back to the people around me, and the land I live on. I dig on carbon sequestration, grid redundancy and regenerative perma-culture. I believe we live in a world of abundance, and one of my life's goals is to harmonize and resonate with the ebbs and flows of nature.
My current objectives are:
1. Hone my current skills and learn new skills
2. Learn a new language! Spanish or German probably
3. Improve my health and well-being through good work, good food and good living
4. Save up for a camper van or RV (or perhaps a pack mule)
5. Build new relationships with lovely people, broaden my experiences and challenge my horizons
In my free time I enjoy music, both playing and listening. I love to sing, fly kites, build things, wood-working, rollerblading, baking, hiking, and crafting cozy living spaces. I would like to take up glass-blowing as a hobby at some point.
I am new to Workaway, but not new to volunteering, work-trade, small business and farm life! My grandfather was an electrician and together we volunteered on Habitat for Humanity projects. I grew up on a 27 acre century farm where my family raised alpacas, chickens and honeybees. I've had my own small businesses in the past and love working with animals. Workaway seemed like a great way for me to explore the world, meet good people, make new friends, and do something beautiful every day.
Here are some bullet points about me:
- Goal oriented problem solving
- Strong organization skills
- Visionary systems thinker and builder
- Inspiring work ethic
- Self-starter, self-motivated
- Clean worker
- Quick learner
- Strong communication skills
- Critical/outside-the-box thinker
- People-focused
- Outgoing and optimistic personality
- Great troubleshooting skills
- Quality control ability
- Good with my hands/manual dexterity
- Equipment maintenance standards & cleanlinessInterests
Winter sportsWritingSailing / BoatingPlant carePhotographyOutdoor activitiesNatureMusicMountainLanguagesHitchhikingHistoryHikingFarmingDrawing & paintingDancingDIY & craftsCyclingCultureCooking & food
show moreLanguages
Languages spoken
English: FluentMore details about my language interests
I'm interested in learning Spanish, and German. I have basic familiarity with both but would like to find opportunities for language immersion.Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Charity WorkLanguagesSome knowledge of:
Art ProjectsEco ProjectsBeing an elderly companionHospitality/TourismBabysitting and creative playCreating/ Cooking family mealsDIY and building projectsGardeningAble to teach about:
TeachingHelping with Computers/ InternetGeneral MaintenanceHelping around the houseLife at a FarmstayAnimal CareMore details about your skills
I was a regenerative beekeeper for over a decade. I kept bees, worked to rebuild the local wild honeybee population in my area, and also built & sold beehives as well as sold an online beekeeping guide. I specialized in removing beehives from buildings and rehoming them, as well as rehoming feral swarms. I can help with existing hives, as well as setup bee-yards from scratch.
I know my way around a kitchen: I'm a better baker than a cook, but enjoy both. I enjoy cooking with others, there's nothing like sharing a meal together cooked with love!
I am good with power tools, woodworking, fabrication, and can lift heavy objects.
Good at handyman & DIY work, I especially enjoy working on improving the place I'm living in. I'm a clean worker, keep my workspace tidy, and clean up after myself.
Grew up on a farm and chopping wood was a daily task, as was farm chores. Skilled with a chainsaw, and very comfortable with brush clearing, logging and grounds clearing. Also grew up gardening, had a garden last year too.
I know how to prune grapes, learned from my grandfather who kept grapes and made wine. Also know how to prune trees, and have general arborist work skills.
I've helped put in roads, built retaining walls, rough framing, remodeling & renovation, landscaping and irrigation. I have heavy equipment experience: skidsteer, backhoe, road-roller/compactor, tractors, and farm equipment.
I'm good at driving large vehicles, trucks & trailers, both forwards and backing up too. I used to drive a Ford 750 all over Portland, Oregon metro area to deliver firewood.
I've been an independent software designer as well: freelance web engineer, programmer and business systems developer. I have experience in podcast publishing, digital publishing workflow design, and personnel management tools. Have experience with IT customer support, computer and tech related problem solving, and have a knack for figuring out tech issues.
In 2019 I worked for a CBD grow operation, planting and cultivating starts from seeds. Helped maintain the facility, manage watering and fertilization.
I've also experience with running estate sales, farm & property cleanup in preparation for selling, private sales to collectors, product sourcing & procurement, barter/trade deals, and alternative currencies.Age
36
What else ...
I'm interested in learning everything I can about sustainable farming, perma-culture, and off-grid/grid-redundant living. Also have become curious about dog training as a result of living with a high-anxiety dog for 2 years, wondering if it might be something I really enjoy. I love history, especially local history, and am fascinated by linguistics and language development. Been enjoying playing games like 7 Wonders and Kingsburg with family & friends over the holidays. I love grilling, and outdoor pizza ovens.
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
Wasp stings, raw strawberriesSpecial dietary requirements
No special requirements
Feedback
Nickolas very quickly became an integral part of our family,… read more
Cameron and Anna have found a piece of heaven on earth. Together with their children they have created an animal… read more
Nickolas is extremely talented and has an amazing work ethic. He is a great wordsmith helping to get the farm out to the public in many ways. He is an energetic and enthusiastic person willing to tackle any project. Though only here a short time, we knocked a few things off that list of must-dos. Thank you Nickolas for sharing… read more
Friends
Feedback
Nickolas very quickly became an integral part of our family,… read more
Cameron and Anna have found a piece of heaven on earth. Together with their children they have created an animal… read more
Nickolas is extremely talented and has an amazing work ethic. He is a great wordsmith helping to get the farm out to the public in many ways. He is an energetic and enthusiastic person willing to tackle any project. Though only here a short time, we knocked a few things off that list of must-dos. Thank you Nickolas for sharing… read more