Fermented Bread
It's a typical Monday morning for Michael Bosch. He begins his regular routine of bread making before he leaves for school for the day. At seven in the morning, Bosch is forming loaves of bread while most people are still struggling to get out of bed.
Bosch does not use commercial yeast in his bread, but instead just a starter of flour and water. He leaves the loaves as they ferment with "wild magical yeast." Bosch strives to eat and live healthily with a raw and natural diet. He practices Bikram Yoga twice a week, is a cannabis enthusiast and even makes his own Kombucha.
When Bosch gets to school, it's really Reggie that gets most of the attention. Reggie, an adorable
beagle/rottweiler, is Bosch's service animal and his "best dog friend." The 4-year-old pup has been with Bosch for the past two years.
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| Photo courtesy of Jessica Founts |
At 9 a.m. Bosch gets settled in at his Digital Photography class. He's got a big smile on his face; that contagious grin that so many students look forward to seeing every day. The instructor for the class, Matthew Williams said, "I feel like [Bosch] is one of my most engaged students, he's constantly asking questions and is always motivated to do well in this class."
Bosch is known campus wide for his positive attitude and his very popular canine companion, but there is so much more to this 27 year old artist. He has a mad love for people, cooking, gardening and teaching. He began earning his degree in General Studies last fall to pursue his "artsy side" and will be graduating this spring.
Originally from Portland, Bosch now lives in Corvallis, where he has been for the past six years. There, his girlfriend of eight years, Amanda Tucksen, teaches kindergarten at Jefferson Elementary School. Bosch is striving to become a teacher as well and his ultimate goal is to teach at the Corvallis Waldorf School, where he worked as a kindergarten assistant for five years, prior to attended LBCC full-time.
Digital photography gets out around noon and Bosch heads to choir. He walks into the choir room with Reggie and the first person he sees immediately lights up. "Hi Rachel!" he says as he walks over to the table she is sitting at. Rachel Morris, fellow choir classmate, and Bosch engage in some small talk as other students trickle in. As with everyone that comes into contact with Bosch, Morris is impressed with his positive presence and said "he is always really nice."
Positive Vibes
Bosch makes it a daily goal to practice compassion. He is big on love, life, and positive thinking.
"People can be 'anti' anything these days, we can be more productive by being 'pro'. When we're 'anti' anything, we are approaching things in a negative light but being 'pro' is a way to support things in a positive manner," Bosch said. He encourages everyone to give people the benefit of the doubt and "get past head thinking" and listen to your heart.
His compassion and gentle nature make him approachable and easy to talk to. It's those qualities that make people and animals alike feel comfortable around him. He is skilled at dog rearing and communication and has some helpful tips on how to keep dog's happy and healthy.
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| Jessica Founts |
At a Glance:
- Michael Bosch, age 27
- Hometown, Portland, Ore.
- Full-time student at LBCC, General Studies
- "I want to be a Waldorf teacher"- Bosch
Michael Bosch's Tips to Keep A Happy Pup:
- Walk your dog everyday. Exercise is a great way to communicate with your canine and promotes a healthy mental state.
- Always carry treats in your pocket. To keep your dogs attention on you or to neutralize and distract other dogs you come into contact with along the way.
- Feed your dog a raw food diet. Though it can be more expensive upfront, in the long run it will end up saving you money. Your pet will have a healthier, softer coat, teeth improvement and puppy breath disappears, and again promotes a healthier mental state. When feeding your dog raw meat, always remember to make sure it is hormone free and antibiotic free.
- Have proper expectations. Dogs are a product of their environment. If they exhibit unwanted behaviors, give them a change of environment, go for a walk.
