Mica

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Canada
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Travel information
I am currently
At home
Description
I have involved with education in some way for over a decade. In 2009, I finished my first degree in History, at the University of British Columbia. Following this, I spent the next 6 years teaching, traveling, working and living abroad in four different continents. I have now returned to Canada, and I am in the process of getting a second degree in Education at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.

I love to immerse myself into new places and environments. I believe the best way to do that is to stay in a place, work there, live there, learn the local customs and traditions and make connections with people.

These are things that I am passionate about, and that is exactly why I am on this website. I want to share the world and all the experiences that are possible within it, with the ever-growing global community.
Interests
Charity work
Videography
Politics / Social justice
Movies & TV
Events & social
Culture
Performing arts
Writing
Photography
Architecture
Music
History
DIY & crafts
Art & design
Mountain
Nature
Hiking
Camping
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
More details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.
Find a language partner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Creative DIY projects
Babysitting and creative play
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Art Projects
Teaching
Some knowledge of:
Light gardening
Light maintenance
Languages
Helping with Computers/ Internet
More details about your skills
Gardening, Landscaping, Maintenance, Labour, Guest Services, Retail, Teaching, ESL Teaching, Photography, Videography, Editing, Childcare, Construction, Demolition, Eco-House Work Experience
Age
39
What else ...
I have traveled to 45 countries (having lived in 10 of them for at least 6 months) in my life. I love going to new places, but even more than that, I love to integrate and immerse myself into a new society. Also, with my historical background, I love connecting places in the world that I have visited, to the curriculum that I teach in my schools. Here are some highlights:

Country I would most likely switch passports with: Sweden or The Netherlands
Country I was most surprised by it's beauty: Bolivia
Country with the best teaching experience: New Zealand
Country I will teach in next: Canada
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  Codeine (main ingredient in Tylenol 3's)
- Special dietary requirements

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3 Oct 2018

Left by Workawayer () for host (Stay on a beautiful farm in ...)

The Roundhouse, the scenery around it, and the people who build it, are the loveliest bunch of people. Inclusive, open-minded, and generous, Pete and Ursula gifted me the most beautiful of experiences. I will start with the property and the project itself.

Perched on a small ridged area of farmland called Hill End, the property features… read more 'Shire-like' scenes to the West. The rolling hills and farmland seem to be out of a postcard, and the sunsets are a sight to behold. To the east, the wild bush of the Yarra Ranges. It was absolutely serene. The farm also has horses who casually graze along the property, and two incredible dogs that are pretty much my best friends. I miss Hutch and Tangle already.

The project is multidimensional in scope. I have very little construction experience, but that didn't stop Pete and Millie from giving me plenty of interesting jobs to do. One day I was painting walls with waterproofing paint; the next creating a plaster dome. Add in some wood chopping and slicing and various other projects, and you have yourself a really diverse and constructive experience. I always felt comfortable because the team explained things well, and gave you lots of trust.

I think the concept of earthbag building is beautiful, and I feel lucky to have seen it at the stage I have witnessed. The structure is coming together, and the unique foundations of earthen housing were visible and tangible. It will be surreal when I return to see how far it has come.

Ursula is a marvelous host with a real knack for storytelling. I won't soon forget the intriguing tales of the personalities of each and every animal on the property. She always made every effort to make us feel at home.

Pete was really great at communicating. Just as he was generous with his tool shed, he was generous with his conversation. Many campfire conversations can account for that. He has a really wonderful code of ethics, and an inspiring belief that the actions he takes can improve the world. He is so easygoing and supportive, and I always looked forward to see him show up in camp.

And I feel really compelled to mention Millie. I'm sure she gets this alot, but her big heart is as bright as her big blue eyes. She has a smile that can melt hearts, a laugh that is motivating, and a personality willing to give every soul she meets a lot of love. Or at least a hug. It is unique and hopeful that this wonderful person can have some much genuine affection for the people around her. I am amazed by her.

So as you can tell, I loved my stay. I will return. If you want a really peaceful, relaxing, and authentic stay, while working on a really worthwhile project, get yourself to Hill End.

Thank you so much Pete and Ursula, for so selflessly making your home(s) ours.

(Excellent )

6 Sep 2018

Left by host for Workawayer ()

Mica had an innate grasp of what input our organisation needed. He interacted brilliantly with all our special needs young adults and showed compassion and humour in all situations. We appreciated all his help and absolutely loved the little videos he made and are looking forward to posting them soon.

In the family he fitted in easily with our… read more

(Excellent )

4 Sep 2018

Left by Workawayer () for host (Come and be a part of our NGO ...)

"I want to make the extraordinary, ordinary."

I won't soon forget those words. Diana, both my host and my mentor, introduced me to the cafe in Southern Cape Town. Her family also embraced me, welcomed me into their home and introduced me to this city in a really unique and localized way.

First, I will start with the cafe and the young adults… read more

(Excellent )

21 May 2017

Left by host for Workawayer ()

Mica came to us as a workaway for only a short time and in that time we felt we got to know so much about him he fitted into our family immediatly. He was courteous obliging friendly extremely helpful, no task was too difficult for him. He gave us massive help during his stay. My grand children who live nearby clicked instantly with him and were… read more

(Excellent )

12 May 2017

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join our family in beautiful ...)

Workaway Review:

Tony and Margaret (ft. Michael, Kevin, Louise, Paul, Conor, and Gavin, and a number of animals)

Tony and Margaret are two genuine and thoughtful people who live on a sheep farm. My workstay experience here revealed picturesque beauty at every turn; in the near distance, I saw rolling hills with grazing animals and century old… read more farmhouses with smoke gently rising from their chimneys. On a hot day, the wind blows exactly when you need it to, and it seems that the golden hours of the late afternoon allow you to forget the modern world for a bit. It allows you to experience piece of mind---but more on that later.

The workstay experience with Margaret and Tony was exceptional for so many reasons. The work was rewarding and you actually saw the results of your labour. Just like each previous reviews, the food was incredible. Margaret is an insanely good cook; I never ate the same thing twice, and I was never hungry at any point. I quite simply ran out of ways to say, “that was amazing” by the end of my stay. Tony also maintains a chicken and hen house, so all of the eggs in the meals were picked up that morning. The jams we used for toast were all homemade. The best ways to describe the meal experiences were “hearty, fresh, and satisfying.”

The workload was extremely fair and the structure allowed for rest and relaxation. As previous workstayers have mentioned, I usually worked with sheep, or was building fences for sheep in a number of lovely fields on the farm. We also did some work with fertilizing; the pace was satisfying, and hard work was rewarded in many ways. This included wonderful deserts, road trips, and the best fish and chips I have had in a while.

But covering only the workstay responsibilities, accommodations, and food, is not grasping a fraction of the experience. Tony and Margaret invited me into their home, trusted me with their property and possessions, and shared their knowledge with me. They listened intently and spoke with purpose and care. They not only made me feel like a member of the famiy, they introduced me to the growing family around them.

Working during the day with Michael was a wonderful experience; he is a hardworking and loyal person, and I loved all of our moments together. And although we acted as a team, he was certainly the backbone of our workforce.

Also living on the farm is Kevin, Louise (Tony and Margaret’s daughter) and three wonderful grandchildren (Paul, Conor, and Gavin). They live in a home on the edge of the farm; some of my favourite experiences in my workstay involved wondering over to their place. Kevin and Louise hosted me one evening for a home cooked meal and some ‘smores’ on the fire outside. They had been taught by the previous American workstayers, and it was nice to have a little piece of home in this enchanting and uniquely Irish place. Both are great parents, and I really valued the variety of ways that Louise was encouraging and enabling people to live more positively. She shares that quality with her parents.

And any opportunity to hang out with Paul, Conor, and Gavin was, as they would say, “absolute class.” These growing boys are a testament to the positive mentorship around them and the values they have learned; they have been brought up understanding the importance of acceptance and curiosity; all of these people I have mentioned have opened their doors and their hearts to me.

As you could tell, I could write a book on my experience here, because there were so many intangible lessons that I have received here. If I didn’t have to move on to teach elsewhere, this would be a workstay opportunity I would extend for months. I loved the life I was able to live here. I am so impressed by the quality and the character I found. And lastly, I am so impressed that such a beautiful place can also reveal important lessons about the important things we forget in a modern world.

“Peace of Mind.” This is what Tony told me was the most important aspect of happiness. Both within this home, and on this farm, you will experience piece of mind. I couldn’t recommend this experience enough. Long after I leave Ireland, I will recall my experience here. Tony and Margaret, I thank you for your generosity and kindness.

(Excellent )

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3 Oct 2018

Left by Workawayer () for host (Stay on a beautiful farm in ...)

(Excellent)

6 Sep 2018

Left by host for Workawayer ()

(Excellent)

4 Sep 2018

Left by Workawayer () for host (Come and be a part of our NGO ...)

(Excellent)

21 May 2017

Left by host for Workawayer ()

(Excellent)

12 May 2017

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join our family in beautiful ...)

(Excellent)

20 May 2017

Left by host (Windsurf and swim while ...) for Workawayer ()

Mica the filmaker/director/ gardener/childminder and all round great guy. He was a hard working, enthusiastic and diligent person and great fun to have around the place. He was a huge help to Ben and I completing all the tasks we set him. He loved hanging out and helping with the children and they really enjoyed his company. We were sad he could… read more

(Excellent)

19 May 2017

Left by Workawayer () for host (Windsurf and swim while ...)

Ben, Katherine, Caoimhe, and Jemma live on a uniquely sandy peninsula in County Kerry known as the Maharees. Their beautiful home is situated in an equally beautiful coastal landscape. My stay with them was integrated, varied, exciting, and genuine. It was really easy to engage with this wonderful family full of personality, energy and curiosity.… read more The workload was varied (feeding animals, building fences, tending the vegetable garden, and playing with the girls) and allowed me to become integrated with the community and the environment. This was an exceptional way to jump into real-life situation of a wonderful family living their busy lives.

Further Notes:

The above paragraph acts as an overview for prospective workawayers, but I wanted to include a few more details. I'm able to do this because the family involved me in so many ways.

1) Once again, the locale was memorizing. Sheep were grazing in the backyard surrounded by homemade stone walls crafted by a local man named Monty. The gate literally leads to the ocean. Cliffs and islands can be viewed in the distance. A wonderful vegetable garden provided the ingredients of our salads. The sunsets and the rapidly changing clouds and weather patterns meant no sunset was the same. Beautiful.

2) My accommodation was outstanding. I had my own room and bathroom and a big comfortable double bed. I slept like a log every night. The comfiest bed so far in my travels.

3) The community is tight knit and small. Everyone waves to everyone. If a biked around a corner, seeing a few locals chatting on the side of the road was a regular occurrence. In fact I cannot think of a time where the family didn't say hello to person passing by.

4) 8 year old Caoimhe (pronounced Quee-va) was this really thoughtful, inquisitive girl. She would ask many questions, she always wanted to learn more, and she had this wonderful unexpected sense of humour. She could do it all. Gaelic football, magic shows, and everything in between. My favourite memory with her was our mad sprint to the stone wall by the water with her atop my shoulders; I wanted to get a video of us dancing in front of the rainbow, and she was happy to join in the fun.

5) 5 year old Jemma was an enthusiastic delight. She really loved to experience things and was really brave. She would dive under electric fencing to feed the sheep more quickly, she would fend off larger animals so that the younger ones could eat, and she was willing to play with anybody.

6) Ben was a really cool genuine guy. He worked during the day, so our interactions were usually during the evening. We would usually work outside and get to know each other simultaneously. He was pretty relaxed; he would also whistle tunes from Willy Wonka and quote Matthew McCaughey without even realizing it. Mostly, I appreciate that he was generous, supportive, and seemed present in the moment. The type of person that really looks you in the eye.

7) Katherine was a superstar. She balanced her work life, her personal life, and her family like a pro. She was really fair in that she practiced what she preached. Her children were active kids involved in their community sports teams. Likewise, their parents were involved with local watersports and biking. Her active lifestyle modeled positive healthy living; simultaneously she was very present for her children, and I think they are receiving a great upbringing and learning positive values. Katherine also found the time to show me around; she took me on a biking and paddleboarding adventure, saying hello to everyone along the way. Like I said, a superstar.

When I look at a map of Ireland, I will now always peek over at this little peninsula on the Kerry coast. It's a special spot where Katherine, Ben, Jemma, Caoimhe, Freddie, Ruby, 7 lambs, some sheep, some new hens (to my old friends, RIP) RoRo and Strawberry live.

It is a lovely place where I got to experience the fun life that this lovely Irish family is living together. It was a pleasure and I thank you so much for your hospitality. I hope I was able to be helpful.

(Excellent)

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