Yes, I am an active and lifelong learner. – Eileen
This is our second story for our Summer of Stories which takes a close and personalized look at self-directed learning. If you missed the first one last week, you can read the wonderful conversation Linda and I had, entitled A Life of Learning, Growing and Sharing, here.
This week, Eileen has taken some time to answer my questions in written interview form.
Eileen is a wonderful woman who I’ve known for well over two decades now and who I’m proud to call my mother- in-law:). What has struck me from the time I met her until even our most recent conversation is her love of learning. If she has a curiosity about something, she looks for ways to find out more. She takes a lot of initiative in acquiring knowledge or learning a new skill and isn’t hesitant to try new things. She also isn’t hesitant to set things aside, for good or for a while, to pursue other interests if something else comes along. She is very, very adept at utilizing the skills and knowledge of other people as she goes.
For example, we’ve done some travelling together and she’s really open to asking for advice or perspective from a local person in order to find our way somewhere or have the best experience we can. If she has an ongoing interest, she easily sources out a class, book or mentor to guide her on her way. She is an active learner.
I remember being at the Alexander Keith Museum in Halifax with Eileen and my children and we were in, what I believe was, the basement portion of the museum. It was set up like an underground pub and the tour leader had us all raise our glasses as lively Celtic music began. He began marching around the room, meaning to be the leader, but he didn’t seem to have any followers right away. Eileen jumped up and followed in line enthusiastically and soon, others followed suit and the room was in motion. She doesn’t just follow along on museum tours for the sake of it; she is there to find things out and fully experience.
With much discussion happening about the idea of people being lifelong learners, especially in parenting and education conversations, I’m very grateful that Eileen is willing to share a bit about herself:).
Eileen, would you mind describing where you grew up and a little bit about it?
I grew up in Port-of-Spain, the capital city of Trinidad, in the West Indies or Caribbean as it is more commonly referred to now. At that time, the island was governed by Great Britain. We had a Governor who represented the Queen, as well as a Legislative Council which represented local government. Trinidad was said to be the most cosmopolitan of the islands in the Caribbean, as it was and still is, a melting pot of cultures. We had the Blacks who were skilled workers, the Indians who grew rice, sugar cane and food crops, the English and French who were land owners, the Portuguese who were businessmen, owning liquor stores, referred to then as ‘Rum Shops’ and grocery stores; the Chinese who had laundry shops as well as some grocery shops and the Lebanese who were referred to as “Syrians” who had dry goods stores, stocking fabrics and haberdashery. It was a good mix of people, as we seemed to get on well with each other and which resulted in our rich variety of food, e.g. Roti from the Indians; Chow Mien from the Chinese but with a Caribbean twist; Pastells and Garlic Pork (usually prepared at Christmas time) from the Portuguese, just to mention a few.
What kinds of things do you remember being interested in or playing as a younger child?
As a younger child, I was quiet and very serious. I remember classmates horsing around in the teacher’s absence from the classroom and I wanted no part of that. I was in class to do work, to learn and the playground was for playing. I loved reading and had library cards to two libraries and could often be found at home, with my nose in a book. I liked playing ‘Jacks’ and was quite good at it. I also enjoyed playing card games and board games with my sister, Jacqueline.
As you became older, I imagine some of your interests changed and likely some stayed the same, or grew from those original interests. I’ve know you to be someone who is creative and has an eye for detail and colour in things like needlework or art or cake decorating. Do you remember having interests in those sorts of things as you were growing up?
As I was growing up, my love of books increased. I had a wonderful teacher who instilled in me an appreciation of poetry and William Wordsworth became my favourite poet. In High School I was introduced to the plays of Shakespeare and was enticed by the beauty and music of words that were well put together and I developed a taste for live theatre. My interest in needlework/embroidery began when, at a young age, my mother taught me some simple embroidery stitches. Then I began to notice the embroidery on store-bought pillowcases and thought I could do that and I did. During one summer school vacation, I took a sewing course at a Singer Sewing Machine store so I could learn to sew for myself. I remember seeing a dress on a mannequin in a shop window and liking it, went into the shop, bought the exact material and buttons, went home, cut a pattern out of newspaper and made the same dress for myself. I was so proud of myself that it fit perfectly.
At some point, you decided to immigrate to Canada. Can you explain a bit about that process … how you came to make the decision to move here, whether you came over on your own, what it was like when you arrived and so on?
While some of my friends were going to England to study Nursing and others were going to the U.S because they had relatives there. At the tender age of 23 years, I decided to go to Canada. Since in my Geography classes at school, we had studied Canada extensively and it seemed ‘British’, unlike the United States, I felt I had some knowledge of the country and would fit in there. Thus, I came independently, as a Landed Immigrant, landing at Toronto International Airport as it was called then. My first job was as a typist at Bantam Books of Canada Inc. My next job was as a secretary at the Ontario Fruits and Vegetable Growers Association which was housed at the Ontario Food Terminal.
Eileen, I know you have had a busy adult life, raising three children and working as a secretary at the Ministry of Labour, followed by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, where you eventually retired.
That must have led to some interesting learning about different people and places. I’m sure you met people with similar or complimentary interests to your own, who maybe even expanded your knowledge about ideas and places?
Yes, leaving the Food Terminal, I worked at the Ministry of Labour as Secretary to the Occupational Health Nursing Consultants. There I learned about industries in small towns, the large corporations such as INCO and STELCO, the hazards and diseases that employees there faced, and some had succumbed to, such as asbestosis. Still at the Ministry of Labour, I went on to work as Secretary to the Chief, Radiation Protection Service. There I learned about Radiation, Radon Daughters and visited the Pickering Nuclear Plant.
I moved next to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. I enjoyed working there as Secretary to the Clerk of the House. I watched the Debates of the House, as well as Committee Meetings, took Minutes at meetings and prepared Speaker’s Rulings. I met many interesting people who worked there; (I had to liaise with staff from other branches, e.g liaising with the Legislative Assembly photographer to arrange for Members to have their photo taken, after their election and following their swearing in as Members of the Leg. Assembly; with staff of the Sergeant-at-Arms Office regarding security, just to mention a few) and met with visitors from other Commonwealth Countries when Ontario hosted conferences.
One of my colleagues whom I got to know socially after we both retired, and who is also a lover of books and Art, introduced me to visiting Art Galleries. I am a member of the Hamilton Art Gallery which we visit at least twice a year and attend some of their movie nights. He also introduced me to Antiquing. Today, I have a fine collection of Royal Albert teacups and an almost complete set of my favourite dinnerware pattern, ‘Old Country Roses’ as well as some pieces of Minton dinnerware. All beautiful designs, I’m always on the lookout for interesting patterns and motifs.
I know you raised three wonderful sons, each with their own personality and interests. What do you think you learned from each of them?
Each person is different and comes with their own personality and innate gifts. All three sons had a very keen sense of responsibility which was instilled by their father.
David, the eldest, taught me control and how to keep my cool when things don’t seem to be going as planned, but to look for a solution to the problem at hand.
Stephen, who passed away at the age of 26 years old, taught me to be patient, sympathetic and to have a sense of humour. He was a very gentle, loveable soul and we miss him very much.
Paul, the youngest, taught me not to be afraid to face the unknown, to be adventurous, sociable, to do what needs to be done.
Yes, they are all wonderful young men and we, their parents, are very proud of them.
Did you manage to carve out time during that busy era of parenting and career for any of your own creative pursuits or, like many mothers, did those get put on the shelf for a while?
Along with cooking and baking while raising our sons and working outside the home, I became interesting in Quilting but switched to Crazy Quilting because it allowed for more of one’s own creativity with regard to fabric, layout and embellishment. I started then to collect fabric from friends and colleagues, who were very generous, towards the day when I would be able to devote more time to the craft.
Eileen, by the time I met you, your children were older and one of the first things I remember was how engaged you were in learning about all sorts of things – handiwork, history, culture, religion, music, art, language and always, always cooking and baking. I think it was not too long afterward that you developed quite a concentrated interest in cake baking and decorating. Could you elaborate on that here?
I subscribe to several magazines and I buy books, so I had magazines and books on cake decorating. My son David was getting married and I knew I would bake the cakes but I needed someone professional to do the decorating. I asked two colleagues whom I knew could decorate cakes and both declined for various reasons. Looking back, I am glad they did because it opened up a whole new world of learning for me. It inspired me to take a crash course in cake decorating from Beginner to Wedding Cakes. So I made and decorated both the Bride’s cake and the Groom’s cake. The Bride’s, with pastel coloured drop flowers and ruffles; the Groom’s cake with chocolate buttercream, offset with the NASCAR logo, in sugar paste, sporting the NASCAR colours, the Groom, being a huge NASCAR fan. Following this I’ve made wedding cakes for a niece and for a close friend.
One of the things about developing a skill that’s really wonderful is that it can often be shared with other people. Not only have you enjoyed the process, but you’ve blessed other people with the skills you’ve developed. What are some of the different cakes you’ve made for people and events since those first wedding cakes?
I enjoy baking and decorating cakes for family and close friends. I’ve made Birthday cakes for my children and grandchildren, some with a theme. I’ve also made many Birthday cakes for a very close friend and her daughter and a Confirmation cake for that same daughter; as well as annual Christmas Cakes which are covered with marzipan and fondant and festively decorated.
You’re also very attentive to detail, not only to the decorative aspect, but in wanting what you make to reflect and please the person you’re giving it to. What are the things you’re thinking about when you make something for someone?
When I make something for someone, I am thinking of that person’s favourite colour, their favourite flavour, preferences, interests, hobbies. Once I have that information, I try to incorporate this into what I am making for that particular person. Each person is different. e.g. Some people prefer Royal Icing instead of fondant to cover their cake; my sister is such a person. Some hate buttercream frosting. Some are allergic to almonds, so no marzipan to cover their Christmas cake. My niece did not want any flowers on her wedding cake, so I just did ruffles around the cake and topped it with an elegant bow. Too plain, I thought, but it was her choice.
I’m curious about what motivated you to continue making things for people, because it’s not just cakes – it’s loaves, scones and mini- cheesecakes, and all sorts of things that you are very generous with. Your sons have joked that you really should be charging money for all things you’ve made for people.
I’m sure it’s tiring in some ways, but you also seem energized by all the stages – the idea, the making and the finished product. It isn’t something you have to do, but you choose to. What do you think it is that motivates you to make things and try new recipes?
I think my motivation to make things and try new recipes is the pleasure that it gives to the recipients of what I make. It warms my heart to see the smiles on the faces of those who are enjoying my creations, and to hear, “This is good, Granny”, that makes it all worthwhile. True, it is becoming tiring as I grow older but I am still very interested in testing new recipes and making more cakes. I am very fortunate to have loved ones who are willing to be taste testers of my creations.
I know you to be interested in all sorts of things. It was you who introduced me to The Great Courses and the whole variety of things to investigate from those. What are some other recent interests that you have pursued or are wanting to learn more about?
I have a renewed interest in Crewel Embroidery which I shelved for a long time and I want to pick up Crazy Quilting again. All the beautiful fabrics, thread, trim, buttons, embellishments, laces, embroidery patterns that I collected are calling out to me, to get started again. The Afternoon Tea layouts and recipes in my Favourite magazine “Tea Time” are also beckoning me to try out new scone, sandwich and sweets recipes. As well, I want to get back to watching some of the DVDs I have from The Great Courses. Because of the situation in the world today, I may not be travelling but I have DVDs from the Great Courses on travel to many lands and won’t mind being an ‘armchair traveller’
Thank you Erin, for giving me the opportunity to share a little about myself and my interests. Yes, I am an active and life-long learner.
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What a delightful interview. Eileen sounds like a renaissance woman. Your questions gave room to Eileen to showcase her passions. I really enjoyed the pictures that accompanied the interview. Thank you to both Erin and Eileen.
What a delightful interview. Eileen sounds like a renaissance woman. Your questions gave room to Eileen to showcase her passions. I really enjoyed the pictures that accompanied the interview. Thank you to both Erin and Eileen.
Thank you very much, Christine! I have passed your compliments on to Eileen:).
What a delightful interview. Eileen sounds like a renaissance woman. Your questions gave room to Eileen to showcase her passions. I really enjoyed the pictures that accompanied the interview. Thank you to both Erin and Eileen.
What an interesting interview! Eileen is, indeed, a lifelong learner – and I learned a lot from what she shared about both growing up in Trinidad and her years working for the province of Ontario. Thanks to both Erin for the great questions and to Eileen for the interesting answers!
Sharon
Thank you!! I couldn’t agree more – I learned a lot as well and will pass your thoughts on to Eileen:).
Another inspirational interview, Erin. Thanks to your mother-in-law, Eileen for sharing her stories. Beautiful cakes 🙂
Smiled at the museum story. And when she mentioned William Wordsworth, my daughters favourite poet too. Fond memories of a Wordsworth themed holiday to the Lake District, here in the UK, she organised for us all a few years back. She – my daughter, not Eileen, although sure that would’ve been a fun time too 🙂
Looking forward to the next one.
Thank you, Hayley:). I will pass the word on in to Eileen. That is really neat that your daughter arranged a Wordsworth-themed holiday – wow!