Costa Rica

Meh, I am starting to feel really done with school, especially since I've had everyone asking me how it feels to be "done". The problem is I have two finals, a poster, a paper, and a presentation before I'm done. I think I just need to get out of SB, which we are doing this weekend, want to go now! On the plus side, this coming weekend I get to hang out with 2 really good friends I never get to see, and David actually gets to meet/hang out with them too.

I got locked out while in our study room. Our maintenance manager took his handy dandy lockpicking kit (for some reason there was no extra key) and broke into my room for me. YAY. Now the lock doesn't work and he's fixing that. Yay for maintenance managers?

The highlights of today were rockclimbing with David (I finished every climb I attempted), laying in the sun and watching a beautiful sunset. Those three things make it an okay day, because everything else was disappointing and full of things that made me feel stupid.

I hate ArcGIS (a program that does mapping and other stuff) and how COMPLETELY unforgiving the program is and why I have to redo my work at least two or three times because its stupid and I'm computer illiterate and can't remember if I save something to my thumbdrive or to the desktop which gets cleaned, and exactly how to save the data file you created as well as the actual file.....bleggh.

This is the second experience I have had today where I feel as if I completely wasted an hour of my time running around because I misinterpreted a conversation.

On the plus side I bought Son of Wicked as a treat to myself for feeling sick yesterday and just read in the sun most of the day  yesterday (yes I attended class and work too). 

I finished my paper in enough time to go to a really fun concert with a rabbi at Hillel, turned out to be lots of fun with dancing and singing. Then me and David left to go load other people's stuff in the van for Estrella the next day, then headed to the after party across the street. This was probably not the best idea because neither of us had had any time to pack for Estrella yet, and I was intending to attend class the next morning. It was a really fun party though, it turned into really good storytime with captivated audiences of 20 something year old UCSB students, pretty impressive. Then we headed home and I packed with my roommate asleep, and apparently did not wake her up.

Then we were off to Estrella. Thankfully, nothing major happened on the way there. I drove my usual drive on the 10 through the desert middle of nowhere (the only time I drive) and David drove the rest. Even stopping at Denny's for food at Blythe we managed to get in to camp a little after 11. As we unfolded the tent though it started raining. Thank you to Jean and Edward and all of the other wonderful people who helped us set up the humongous tent very quickly in the rain. Thankfully, a few minutes after we pulled the rain fly over everything it really started to rain.

more about later

This is for everyone at UCSB/Santa Barbara area. I apologize to those who this does not apply to, but I don't have a separate list for those.

FOCUS THE NATION...A day about global climate change......January 31st
8:30am-5pm UCen Corwin Pavilion, UCSB: a collaborative teach-in engaging
over 1300 colleges and universities across the nation

Focus the Nation is a collaborative teach-in engaging over 1300 colleges
and universities across the nation on the issue of global climate change.

Learn about how big businesses are working towards going green from Janelle
Kearsley, the Director of Corporate Strategy/Sustainability for Wal-Mart
Stores, Inc.

Hear how Climate Change is affecting communities of color and low income
communities and how activists from these communities are leading the fight
for Environmental Justice.

Ask our elected officials what they are doing about climate change and
learn about UCSB's leadership in addressing environmental sustainability.

All speeches and workshops throughout the day are scheduled around a
typical UCSB class schedule, making it easier to pop in and out between
classes.

Can't make the big day? Check out these events:

*** Tuesday January 29th two showings of the film, "the 11th hour", 7:30pm
and 10pm, Isla Vista Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte

*** Thursday January 31st, 8:30-5 PM Corwin Pavilion, UCSB
A day of panels and workshops featuring WalMart, panels on climate justice
and using workforce housing to reduce CO2 related to daily commuting and
workshops on laboratory sustainability, student activism, how to green your
life and local impacts of climate change.

*** Thursday January 31st, 6:30-9pm Goleta Valley Community Center
Free green business mixer followed by community leaders speaking about the
environmental achievements and goals of the city of Santa Barbara, UCSB,
and SBCC. Abe Powell, local green entrepreneur will be speaking about his
work to green Powell skateboards and his work in biodiesel.

*** Friday February 1st, 2-6 PM UCSB Student Resource Building
Free environmental film showings:  The Story of Stuff * Who Killed the
Electric Car * Everything's Cool * Hot Politics
Sponsored by Associated Students Environmental Affairs Board

*** Saturday, February 2nd, Meet at 1pm, Goleta Beach Park
A day of action for student organizations concluded by a massive lightbulb
exchange in Isla Vista, over 1500 lightbulbs will be exchanged for more
energy efficient models in one day.

Questions contact:
Katie Maynard
Sustainability Coordinator, UCSB
UC, CSU, CCC Sustainability Conference Organizer
805-893-2003
Fax 805-893-3146
kmaynard@geog.ucsb.edu

After both of my potential rides down to Santa Barbara for this Friday/Sunday rescheduled, I found myself facing Amtrak. Suddenly, I got a random phone call asking if I wanted to leave for SB tomorrow...morning! So I'm still trying to decide if this is a good or bad thing because after spending the night and day with David I was definitely NOT packed, and minus a room key.

In good news, I am slightly more packed now, but am facing the problem that my room key probably ended up on caltrain last night...which means I have no key to my room. AND my roommate I think left WITH her key....to Thailand...hmmmm. So I leave for a 6 day retreat at Lake Hughes Sunday, and will see *most* people the first week school gets back. SIGH. I wouldn't be so crazy, but I don't think I can get into my room now until AFTER the retreat...which means I don't have most of the clothes I need/want. 

Well, back to packing. In the good news...if I leave something I will only have to do without for a week because David is coming by to pick up the stuff I am definitely not fitting in the person's car/carting around SB and parts unknown.

A few days ago I couldn't wait to go home...and now that I've been home I can't wait to leave. Do I really want to subject myself to three months of this over the summer? The good news...my friend likes the coathardie pattern which is going to become my new bridesmaid dress, probably with zipper added. YAY! No more fights with brother about THAT (don't ask). My brother goes from being helpful, go completely out of his way, to the most conceited arrogant self-righteous ass in the matter of hours. For wedding, I spent some of today going up to visit the site, which I had no remembrance of. I was excited before, and now that I can see my friend is planning to have her wedding ceremony on a platform surrounded by a redwood tree grove I love it...and the whole druidic wiccan element of it because thats part of what she loves about it. Not that she loves wicca that much...more that her mother-in-law will hate it with a fiery Mormon raised passion.

Speaking of wedding...I want a poll of this, because I'm not sure what IS traditional, and I'm not sure what to do. I am the maid-of-honor, and dutifully accept all the planning and cleanup stuff. HOWEVER, my friend claims she was told it was traditional that the maid-of-honor dance with the best man, is it? It would be with the other bridesmaids and grooms, the only problem is this is a guy I dated in high school. hmmmm.

I lit candles tonight with my menorah that David just bought me for a present! (I was silly and didn't bring down one of the four we have at home). It was cool, because one of the people  where I live was really excited that I was lighting candles, so we lit them together in the living room. I miss Chanukkah at home with latkes and people, its not the same during dead week (week of everything is DUE!!). 

I realize everyone's a little on edge from dead week  but...

today someone upstairs thought a pipe was on fire...the most level headed guy ran around trying to turn off the gas....then the first guy realized it was a pilot light. SIGH!! At least I'm done with my lab, YAY!!!

This is one of the nights that I wish I could just go drive up the coast, and sit out and look at the stars and NOT THINK. Granted, I would still be sneezing and hacking up stuff, but it would be away from buildings. I just want to go away and NOT have work, internship, studying, labs etc. to do, and really missing people at this moment. SIGH. Need to get away from the city and fluorescent lights.

Funny story about my easily distracted professor:

I'm sick, and I kindof muffle half sneeze. (My sneezes are pretty loud). Not only does my professor STOP midsentence and look around the small 25 person classroom in confusion. He then looks at me sinking low into my chair while kindof laughing and says "bless you" then a comment about thinking the room was falling down or something. ( I sink lower, while quietly laughing along with the other people sitting next to me).  10 minutes later: friend  next to me in attempt to stop phone on vibrate knocks coffee cup to floor which bounces, a lot. He stops, again, and looks at us AGAIN, and makes a comment about more coffee. Ahhhh, class was fun.

Vivian helped me finish my coatehardie!! Thank you Vivian!! That I promptly wore the next night, and spilled red wine on. Luckily red wine comes out of linen easily thanks to magical ZOUT! I love my stainremover. I then tried to surge coatehardie and preceeded to rip a hole in it. Hmmm...we'll see if it survives to the Isles Feast, I still need to finish surging.

So my TA just sent me an email that two of the maps I turned in from the 6 hours of GIS labwork I did are empty, and I checked my thumbdrive and they're empty on that. Deep breaths....going to talk to TA about it tomorrow. Plus I'm already taking the class pass/no pass. Still!!

Luckily everything else is going okay, although I am looking for good veggie main course for thanksgiving that other people will be eating as side course.

Thank you to all the awesome people that have been so welcoming and excited about me being back. It really is making this transition SO MUCH easier and it feels like coming back home.

My door is no longer black, YAY!! So I underestimated the amount of time it takes to scrape off black paint, by about four hours. It would have been longer if David hadn't shown up and helped, A LOT, thank you! My new favorite lunch ever is (now) toasted sprouted bagel with mozzarella and fresh organic tomatoes...yummm. I slept last night without a door...it was interesting.

So the door is still sitting on the concrete outside...which I means I still have no door. It also only got one coat of paint on it this morning, and needs another BEFORE going up. Its exciting.

I'm also actually going to show up to fighter practice Wednesday night! Yay. I'll see most of you then.

BEFORE Isles Ann: Make coathardy!!! Have fabric, just need help, LOTS of help, with patterning

Oh, so Kelly (NOT remembering SCA name)  gave me purple brocade and purple liner fabric to make fencing doublet, but on consideration I don't NEED another fencing doublet.  She also gave me enough white linen for a chemise...I had high aspirations...too high. Anyone feel ambitious?  I have 1.5 handmade corsets from...(michelle...aka...??) that I have decided I do not really want to try and force myself into again, so comment if you want any of this stuff. As a side note the corsets are smaller than Juliette...aka...Chana sized, so take into consideration.

love to everyone

Why is UCSB gray right now? Which is why I'm sitting in the library, instead of enjoying the sunshine. Having a 1 hour and 45 minute break between classes sucks, just because I'm too lazy to go home and then come back to sit home for no good reason. So in recent news, JOB, must find paying job fairly soon cuz I'm getting back to real life after Costa Rica/Israel craziness. Seeing as the environmnental internships that weren't filled while I was in Israel are currently held up for lack of funding/no rain and no need for a new project yet, I'm applying to the Library. But if anyone hears anything let me know.

In other news, I met my roomate. YAY! She seems nice and has a cat AND a corn snake, which the cat is fascinated by. The only negative thing about the room: The door is black and has a red bleeding heart man on it. My new Sunday project is taking door off, sanding black paint off, then priming it and painting it a pretty pale yellow. Aside from the fact that I've never taken a door off its hinges and dismantled a dead bolt I'm looking forward to it...hopefully it will be sunny so that paint actually dries. Hmmm, should check weather report. Wish me luck!!

So in the days and weeks before Yom Kippur (Jewish holiday where one asks G-d for forgiveness), one is supposed to ask anyone they have wronged for forgiveness. I seem to have developed this habit of trying to forget the things I have done to wrong people and push it to the back of my mind. I am beginning to realize what a humbling process it is for a person, and to encourage someone to reflect on their past year's actions.

Our society has difficulty with acknowledging our faults. Americans have created a culture of blaming someone else (thats why so many things are getting sued) what would happen if we took complete responsibility for our actions? What would happen if we asked family members or friends who are "officially" the ones to blame for forgiveness? Don't most prolonged arguments devolve into who's to blame anyways? Does being right matter more than the relationship?

Why is asking forgiveness so hard? (At least for me)

So, in short, a summary. My trip to Israel and exploring Judaism has left me with a lot of questions.

5 days and counting

DISCLAIMER: Everything in the above paragraphs is my personal interpretation, I am NOT a Rabbi, REPEAT NOT A RABBI!!!
Anything written on any Jewish subject may be commented on, corrected, reinterpreted in a comment...etc.

YAY! Home from Israel! And the first night I got back we went to a wedding...less of a stupid idea than David's plan for getting back, but still it impeded jet lag recovery. It does feel really good to be able to see people again, six months was a long time, AND to be able to cook my own food!! WHEE No more getting sick off of MSG riddled food, and eating Sambuki for nourishment (sambuki is its own class of amazing bakery out of israeli's plethora of amazing bakeries, and has addicting cheap chocolate filled yumminess).

So now that I have internet that is not charging me to use time, and is a half hour bus ride to reach, I'm back to posting.

So right now I am using internet to procrastinate on:
watering the garden (I came home and my Mom left for a week!)
doing laundry/unpacking
finding out how to return my talk n save phone TO Israel

I just don't want to contemplate any of this right now, but have the eerie feeling Mom will kill me if her plants have irrevocably wilted/died when she returns. That, and need nice appropriate clothes to wear for Rosh Hashanah.

PS. this sounds like a stupid question, BUT if something SAYS "Dry clean only" does that mean i can gently handwash it? PLEEEAAASSSEE???!! If no one tells me "NO" in a few hours I will assume yes! Wish me luck!!

Mental note: check tags of clothes before buying to avoid dry cleaners for the rest of life

Waiting for dinner, doing a little more relaxed post. So I've come to terms with the fact that some of my data just won't get in the first submission. But to summarize the past week:

For the past two weeks I've stayed with a Costa Rican family and I've never felt more welcome. The couple had three kids, 13, 10, and 1, and it was such a fun time. I  improved my Spanish a bit, and taught the son how to play frisbee. The mom also cooked amazing food, I loved her gallo pinto, fried plaintains, and homemade tortillas. It really surprised me how much they welcomed me, a stranger, into their home. The homestay is definitely not an experience I would not have missed for the world, and I feel more a part of Costa Rica afterwards. I've noticed many people here in Monteverde are just really friendly. Maybe its the small town atmosphere I've never had, but people always say hi, well "hola", when walking past on the street, and I've had multiple conversations with strangers. 

Enough reflections...grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup time!!

For all my SCAdian friends on lj hope you had an amazing time at war!

So research was going well...data collecting was (is) fun. The problem is that the paper is due Wednesday morning (I think) and I'm currently working on the intro and...data collection. OH, AND daydreaming about plans for Israel?!! VERY PRODUCTIVE. I should be trying to analyze my data, but instead I'm still kindof (still no idea how to measure some of it) compiling it, and realizing that I have NO IDEA what to do with it. This is fun...Ruth (my professora) needs to come back so I can make tons of yummy tables about plant species and cover (she's currently identifying some plant species for me). I have a day and half to figure out how to use stats and analyze results, AND write it all up. (I'm a slow paper writer and it took me three hours to write/research my intro). I'm not sure I like research right now...maybe this is telling me something. I feel like I need someone to metaphorically hold my hand while I do this because I'm so lost.

The sun needs to come out...I think this is the longest time I haven't seen the sun

Missing my homestay family, a baby's smile does wonders, and my "mom's" amazing food....

homemade star fruit and pineapple juice is really amazing but not a good substitute for chocolate.  WHY does all the chocolate here  taste like crap? Answer: everything is made with crappy hersheys chocolate you  can taste. This is dangerous, I´m going to be staying in zurich for four hours after having a three month break from chocolate. I really just want some good chocolate chip cookies right now...and I was all excited about kicking my sugar addiction here, not happening.

However, I did get to see a pair of male long-tailed manakins displaying together, that was pretty cool. Worthy substitute for chocolate?

So this week is going pretty well. My project is happening...more than I can say about other people who are still waiting for their equipment. Part of what I'm doing required me to take a machete to small portions of the forest, I kindof got the hang of it after a while and it was fun, although Eric made fun and when he went with me did it for me, which was a lot faster. My seedlings have been planted, and some of my seeds got eaten...I think. This is a good thing, its data. And now I get to go out in the field and instead of just saying whether there is grass in the square I made, I get to identify whether its grass, herb, shrub (still not clear on the difference) or seedling of a tree! And identify all seedlings to family or species. Its going to be a great learning experience! YAY!?? And a lot more work than I expected....

On a positive note yesterday when I went to check my plots in Bajo Tigre we saw a grey fox! And I keep running across agouti (rodents the size of cats) there too.

My homestay is a lot of fun...for breakfast today we had homemade tortillas, gallo pinto (rice and beans cooked in spices and stuff), plantains, and really good fried eggs. And of course avocado, they own a farm so they have brought back TONS of avocado. and tons of guava, which is not the guava in the states, which  is called guayaba here.

Here guava comes in a giant pod, and is sweet white stuff covering giants seeds which you don't eat. Its really good, but unlike anything in the states. I have pictures.

Other than the fact that the mom is an awesome cook I love playing with the little baby, and talking with the mom about my day, in Spanish of course, and playing with the two other kids. I'm even starting to say standard stuff in spanish, I was searching for a word and I said y instead of "and" twice. The dad's really nice, but spends a lot of time in the garage in front of the house working as a mechanic, or on the family farm.

As a side note, I currently have plans to change my ticket to come home the NIGHT of June 13th, and then leave for Israel June 19th.