I went around to different sites with the foreman to actually see the drawings come to life.  I remember sitting at my desk coloring Jim’s plans for this backyard, thinking this is going to be an amazing yard.  I went there before they started digging and was like, “how are they going to make this yard look as nice as what has been drawn?”  Sure enough, I saw many other samples that actually looked better than the drawings. 

Jim is one of the happiest people I have ever met.  All he does is smile and laugh and make a mockery of properties he didn’t design.  He absolutely loves his job and has owned Hilltop Landscaping for 40 years.  He knows that his projects make a huge impact on peoples’ lives.  It’s true.  Hilltop Landscaping has really made Albuquerque a great sight to see; from hotels to parks to thousands of homes. 

Before the end of the day, I took notes from a customer to see what she wanted in her yard.  The outline of her yard was already drawn, but I had to place the trees, flowers, grass, and guest house on the map.  Jim and I went to visit with her in person to get a better understanding of the environment.  The freeway is near her property and creates a lot of noise, so Jim suggested putting in a fountain.  She basically agreed to everything Jim suggested, but it all comes down to their budget.  That’s the hard part.  Jim loves those challenges.  One of his proudest achievements was the low income housing subdivisions.  He created a masterpiece with the cost of a taco. 

December 17, 2008

I’ve never seen better sunsets in my life.  New Mexico really has an amazing landscape and unfortunately, pictures will never do the sunsets justice.  I really do look forward to the sunrises too, but because I get to go back to work.  I’ve really enjoyed the whole process of landscape architecture.  Clients come in and want to improve their property.  We go out and take pictures and draw whatever the existing property looks like.  That’s when the brilliant Landscape Architect works his magic.  Jim creates mind blowing ideas that has shaped Albuquerque and keeps it within the budget of his clients. 

More information about the career tomorrow….

December 14, 2008

I couldn’t get enough of Border Patrol, so I decided to explore another US/Mexican border; El Paso, Texas.  I’ve never seen a city like El Paso.  I couldn’t tell if I was on the US side or the Mexican side.  The Pueblo style homes were situated on the dusty hillsides that had unpaved roads.  Pedestrians were walking back and forth between the borders to shop for the day.  There were definitely more Border Patrol Agents than there were City of El Paso Police.  I didn’t want to get too attached to Texas, so I made my way to Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

New Mexico was surprisingly one of my favorite drives.  I don’t know if it was the scenery or if it was all the warming signs along the way that read, “Dust Storms are likely.”  It really kept me alert, especially when it was really windy for the 300 miles that I drove.  Ohh, I did see a couple of UFO’s like most people in New Mexico.  Just kidding.

My first day of Landscape Architecture was great.  Landscaping is much different in New Mexico than the rest of the country.  Not only are most constructed buildings and homes Pueblo style, but water resources are scarce.  The aquifer that Albuquerque has relied on for years has been depleted and they have now redirected the Rio Grande River for their new resource.  Eventually the aquifer will be restored, but that will take some time.  Taking care of lawns is pretty difficult and the city has restricted many properties from implementing new lawns. 

Jim, the Landscape Architect, showed me most of his projects, which is about 60% of the city.  After going out into the field, we went back to the office, where his plans are drawn by hand.  Today, I colored in some of the drawings.  It’s not like elementary coloring like most would think.