Back to the Grind

The weather here in Humboldt has really been freaking me out lately. I mean, it is the end of January and it has been sunny almost everyday for 2 weeks. And this nice weather is supposed to continue. Crazy. I absolutely love it but at the same time I know its bad for the plants in the area. All the trees are starting to flower and most likely their poor little flowers will get frozen off at some point and then they can't fruit. Climate change, check.

School is really busy as usual but this semester I have class for 7 hours straight (no breaks) for 4 out of the 5 days I'm at school. Yes, the days go by really quickly, but, I finish them feeling exhausted and not looking forward to going home and doing more homework. Genetics, Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates, Plant Tissue Culture Lab, and Lichens and Bryophytes. That is a schedule of someone who needs to graduate soon, lol. I'm really bummed that I can't take any Spanish classes this semester so I try and squeeze reading some news articles in Spanish and a Spanish movie here and there so I don't completely lose my language skills.

On the plus side, I am happy, healthy, and don't have a job so that gives me a little bit more time to spend with Evan, my friends, and this little cutie named Emily (my friend's baby):

On a completely different note, I am thinking about cutting all my hair off and donating it at the end of the semester. I'm considering these 2 lengths, and of course I like the longer one, but I feel like it's time for a bit of a change.

Un Día Bonito

For some reason it has been sunny every day for the last 4 or 5 days and it is January. So I have been trying to make the most of it by getting outside everyday. Evan and I played tennis today for the 2nd day and it is so much fun! I'm really glad I thought of buying him a tennis racket for Christmas. I definitely am not nearly as good as I was back in high school and more out of shape because I am sore! And I don't remember the rules at all lol. But hopefully it will come back to me all in time.

I made a delicious potato salad type thing with the last of the food from the farmshare such as: potatos (duh), leeks, cabbage, swiss chard, brussel sprouts and kale.

Today Evan and I made french toast for lunch with home-made blackberry sauce from the blackberries I picked this fall. So good!

I am thinking about finally realizing my dream of having a little backyard garden. I will probably just grow some lettuce, spinach, chard and kale because I have limited space and time. Maybe some basil and cilantro too. I can't really grow anything else because most likely we will be moving out again at the end of the semester.

I'm excited to babysit my friend's baby Emily tomorrow! She is 7 months old and so freaking cute!!!!

1st Day of School

Today was the first day of classes of the spring semester. All I had today was Lichens and Bryophytes, which looks like it is going to be a very interesting and exciting class. It is also a nice day without any rain and Evan and I are going to go attempt to play tennis in Arcata.

So far I have applied for one Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU's) in Costa Rica for this summer. I have also applied for a teaching assistant position in España that lasts 8 months. I REALLY want to get the job in Spain because Evan could be with me, but am nervous about the Costa Rica REU because I probably wouldn't see him for 2 months and that would suck. Also, I suck because I am too attached. But it's ok because Evan is amazing. But so is Costa Rica....and 2 months is not that long if you really think about it. Costa Rica looks like this:

I am applying for REU's in Puerto Rico, Kansas, and Alaska as well. All of the ones I am applying for last for 8-10 weeks and you receive a $4000 stipend at the end along with free room and board. A pretty sweet deal if I do say so myself.

I am suffering from senioritis. I am very tired of school and I feel like just graduating in the fall. That is, if I don't go to Spain and have to take a year off. Which, would probably make me feel better about going to school after a nice long break.

Oh yeah, and my spanish minor is really causing some problems because I CAN'T TAKE ANY SPANISH CLASSES!!! due to scheduling conflicts. Lame.

I should stop complaining and look forward to an easy semester of 12 units. Because I can't take anymore classes than that due to scheduling conflicts. Story of my life right now.

The Things I Will Miss The Most From Costa Rica

I will miss:

-FRIED PLANTAINS

-ceviche

-gallo pinto

-the most delicious coffee ever

-the sounds of monkeys, toucans and other birds in the early morning

-the incredibly nice people

-hearing and speaking spanish constantly

-the sun

-Tortilla Flats with gallo pinto and eggs for 3 dollars

-the beautiful mountains and plants

-the amazing view from Bob's patio

-pineapples, mangos, and bananas perfectly ripened

-relaxation

I will NOT miss:

-the sounds of monkeys, toucans and other birds in the early morning

-GIANT BUGS

-not knowing if our 2-wheel drive car was going to make it up the road or not

-the crazy drivers

See Evan and I's travel blog for more details:

http://tekstravels.blogspot.com/