Soul Massage

My alarm sounded at 7:21 this morning, and I hit the snooze alarm. Before it could go off again, Sherry texted me, "See you soon." I had agreed to meet her at 8 so we could go run at San Felasco State Park. But I don't even get up for work this early. What the hell was I thinking?  I dragged myself out of bed, pulled on my running gear, and met at her house.  We chatted on the half-hour drive up to the park, and I began to wake up.  But just as we turned towards the trails, the sky opened up and it began to rain.  Hard.  Puerto Rico Hard.  I wasn't sure if I could bring myself to get out of the car.

Sherry planned on running for 1 1/2 hours; I was only going to run for about 30 minutes.  Filled with more ambition than I had, she took off.  I stayed in the car attemting to muster enough will and waiting in vain for a break in the storm.  I knew I needed this run.  I've been nearly sick by the thoughts plaguing me lately.  A story on NPR was enough to push me over the edge that if I didn't go now, I might start breaking things.

I cranked Lupe Fiasco on my iPod and took off. Most of the paths at San Felaso wind though an old oak forest.  But I chose to follow the two-track road through a grassy pasture. My brain already felt claustrophobic; I didn't need the trees closing in on my body too.  Rain drops ran down my head, my face, shoulders, arms, legs.  Before long I was soaked. Yet, it was a calming warm rain, a shower that washed away some of my tension.

I glanced at the pasture with low rolling hills.  In the rain it seemed beautifully still.  By the time I finished running, my shoes and socks were completely saturated.  I removed them before walking back to the car.  They only provided a foundation for blisters at that point.  Puddles in the road were ankle deep and the soft soil massaged my feet.  I reached the car and raised my hands in the rain like Andy Dufresne at the end of The Shawshank Redemption.  My run was a small endeavor, but today, adjusting my mindset was a grand accomplishment.

Scenes From A 26th Birthday

Today was a beautiful day in Gainesville to celebrate my 26th birthday.  After work I met my friends at Mother's, a pub downtown that has NHL Center Ice where I could catch the Chicago game versus St. Louis.  It might be the first game that my eyes or ears weren't glued to the action.  I was surrounded by burgers and beers and good conversation. I feel so fortunate to spent today with all of these great people. It almost makes me speechless, so I'll let some of the pictures (taken mostly by my labmate, Mike) do the talking...

All these people!

Mike and Chip

Happy to be 26!

Sherry and Drew in an intense conversation

Mike and me, field pros

This round of picklebacks goes out to my friends in the Midwest

Just creeping on my roommate, not a big deal

Jenn and Erin

Erin and Mike 

Thumbs up, lets do this!

High five, Aaron? Hell yeah!

Just three months ago, I was dealing with some deep homesickness.  I never thought that a short time later I would celebrate with so many good friends. I feel very loved.  I couldn't have asked for a better night.... (Except for a Blackhawks' win. ;) ).

Foodie Pen Pals - March 2013

The box I received from my March Foodie Pen Pal was wildly disappointing.  APRIL FOOLS!  It was awesome!!! This month I was paired with Skinny Sometimes author Shannon from Pennsylvania.  I told her that I was traveling a lot at the end of the month, and she sent me so many snacks that were perfect for my airplane rides and fieldwork.

• Trader Joe's PB&J chocolate bar - That thing didn't make it though the night.  

• Trader Joe's dried fruit strips - These were great for throwing in my daypack to snack on during field work.  The apricot was tasty, but I think the boysenberry was my favorite.  I had never had anything boysenberry flavored before.

• Quaker Real Medleys oatmeal cups - The cherry pistachio was perfect for my morning flight home.  All I had to do was ask the flight attendant for some hot water.  I ate the Apple walnut flavor for breakfast on Blackbeard Island.  I liked these so much that I got two more when we got groceries before working on Wassaw Island.

• Justin's peanut butter and almond butter - These were super tasty on tortillas for a snack.

• Two flavors of Cliff Mojo bars - I love Clif bars and Clif Builder bars. These are the first Mojo bars that I've tried, and they are just as delicious.  They are awesome for throwing in my daypack as well.

• Trader Joe's Apple Banana sauce crushers - I liked eating these after my bike ride home from work.  I squeezed a couple of them into my smoothies too, and they were a great addition.

• Planter's NUT-rition spread - It's peanut butter with banana chips and granola mixed in.  I've been spreading this on bananas (when I'm not eating it with a spoon...) and I really like the crunchy texture.

• Pumpkin Seeds - I haven't eaten pumpkin seeds in so long! These are salty and nutty.  I'm mildly addicted, and I think they are now going to be one of my standard field work snacks!

Thank you, Shannon, for introducing me to so many new go-to field work and travel snacks!!

I had a ton of fun this month shopping for my recipient, Kate in Massachusetts.  You can check out what I sent her at her blog What a life...

If you want to lean more about Foodie penpals, check out the link below! It's been a really fun experience :)

Zombie Jesus Day

For the second year in a row, I'm away from my family on Easter.  Last year I was in Puerto Rico, and now I'm in Florida. Since I'm not religious, Easter doesn't hold much spiritual weight for me.  Still, it's hard to be away from family on days like this.  I think part of growing up means starting your own traditions, even if they only stick for a year.

My day started watching the Chicago Blackhawks play the Detroit Red Wings in NBC's Game of the Week... ON TV!! For most games I have to listen to the WGN Radio online stream, and it always feels like a treat to watch the few national broadcasts.  My dad got me hooked on the sport before I can even remember. Watching and listening to hockey connects me to home like few things do.  I sat in my living room in my Blackhawks sweater watching Chicago score goal after goal after goal.... repeat that four more times! Final score: 7-1.

Later in the day, a few friends came over for a Rum Ham! I wanted an excuse to make this recipe by my favorite food blogger, Dan over at The Food In My Beard, and Easter seemed like a good enough excuse.  The recipe was inspired by an episode of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia where Frank simultaneously eats and gets drunk via a rum-soaked ham.  We felt it only proper to watch that and a few more episodes while eating our meal.  The Rum Ham was a HUGE hit, and our guests brought some other kick-ass sides.  Needless to say, we were all stuffed!  Not bad for a last-minute get together!  I only wish I had remembered to take a few "before pictures" of our spread.

The after...... RUM HAM!!!

I closed out the evening watching The Walking Dead season finale.  Jesus is kind of the world's most famous Zombie (get it? he rose from the dead!...) so it seemed fitting.  Season three ended much more poignantly than season two.  I really missed watching it with my late-night crew in the conference room in Puerto Rico.  At least my friend, Chris and I were able to chat online while it aired.  It's always fun to banter about the scenes with someone.

It was a great way to end the day, and a great day to end the month.  February and March have been a little emotionally dodgy for me.  This month I especially slacked on my blog.  In April I'd like to do better, and I'm challenging myself to write every day.  And if not on every day, then encompassing every day.  I think April going to be a better month filled with excitement...and not just because of my birthday ;)

Kara's Super Spontaneous Visit

In a delightfully unexpected turn of events, my friend Kara came to visit last week!  She had originally planned on coming in early April.  But this week lined up with her work better.  Sunday she messaged Sam and told her she would be flying in... Monday night! What?!  The three of us went to college together and it was fun little reunion.

I hadn't seen Kara in probably about three years.  Since my schedule is so flexible right now, I was able to rearrange my week and spend a lot of time with her.  Kara has clear goals when she travels: to get "the history, the culture, and the nature." And I think we did a pretty good job of finding all those things.  After working Tuesday morning, I met her at the Florida Natural History Museum on campus.  We finished exploring, then walked across to the Art Museum.  Both museums are fantastic, and they're free!!  We grabbed lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon geocaching while waiting for Samantha to finish work.  It's been a while since I've been 'caching.  Searching is so much more enjoyable when I go with someone else.  And we got into some pretty interesting places...

...like this truck!

"Where is it?!" (we eventually found it :D ) 

On Wednesday, Sam was able to take a half day off work, and the three of us took a trip to St. Augustine, the U.S.'s oldest city.  After a delicious lunch at the Floridian, we spent the afternoon wandering around some shops and eventually made it to Castillo de San Marcos.  This oldest stone fort was originally built during Spanish occupation of Florida. It was traded back and forth of British rule. Then the United States gained control when Spain sold Florida to the U.S.  Historic sites like this are always fun to explore, but Kara added a new level of excitement shouting, "The British are coming!!" from the top of the walls.

Vantage point atop the fort

We wandered around after the fort closed, eventually finding ourselves on the beach listening to the breaking waves of the Atlantic Ocean.  I miss being so close to a large body of water and was just a little sad when we started our drive back to Gainesville.

Thursday, Kara and I set out on a day hike in Ocala National Forest.  The ranger station recommended The Yearling Trail.  This six mile loop winds though the land where the Long family build their homesteads in the mid 1850's.  Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings also spent some time here, and her visits inspired her book The Yearling.  The movie adaptation was later filmed on site.  Neither Kara nor I have read the book or watched the movie, but after hiking the trail, we both intend to do so.  Historic spots mark the trail including the family cemetery.  This is the first time that I've seen coins on top of gravestones.  I looked it up, and it seems to carry the same superstition as tossing coins into a fountain.  Who knew?

Coins on top of the Long family gravestones

Halfway through the trail, we found the perfect lunch spot in a dry fen.  We sat under a beautiful sunny sky, enjoying our lunch and a couple beers.  Kara liked the spot so much that she left her phone there so we would have to hike back! 

The view from our lunch spot

We drove back to Gainesville in time to grab Sam and head to dinner at Satchels, an eclectic pizza place.  Unfortunately, Kara had to leave early Friday morning.  All three of us wished she could have stayed longer, especially so Sam could have spent more time with us.  I'm so glad that she could visit at all though.  Kara has such a light-hearted, fun-loving nature.  I think her visit came at the perfect time.  We had a fantastic week, and I was able to forget a lot of the things that have been stressful and just be silly for a while.  We're both stumbling through different life decisions, but I think she has a really good mantra: do what you love, and things will fall into place.  I'm thankful to have a friend that can remind me of that, and I hope that I get to see her again soon.

February Foodie Pen Pals

Last fall I somehow stumbled across Foodie Pen Pals.  Lindsay, author of The Lean Green Bean blog started organizing food swaps between people about a year ago and its grown into a really cool program.  She pairs participants with each other and you send a box with $15 worth of food items to the other person.  I did it once when I was still in Michigan, and this month was my first time since I've moved to Florida.

I received my package from Deb from Delaware.  I didn't give her much direction as far as preferences, and she sent me a box jam packed with snacks from a local Amish store. Check it out!:

Look at all these tasty treats!

She included two bags of frosted pretzels, which happen to be one of my favorite snacks. They did not last long in this apartment.  There were two types of granola bars which were both great.  The Lemon Cranberry had a really bright flavor, and I hope that I can find more of them somewhere down here. One container of trail mix had naked raisins AND chocolate covered raisins with M&Ms, peanuts and almonds.  Hell yes.  The other container is a crunchy Asian snack mix that I'm finding mildly addictive.  Deb also sent a container of veggie dip mix.  I haven't tried it yet, but pita chips are on my grocery list now.  And I have big plans involving that BBQ sauce and some ribs this weekend.  Thanks for everything, Deb!!

I got paired with someone different to send a package.  You can read what I picked out for Ashley from Iowa at her blog: The Preppy Runner

I think this program is lots of fun.  Its a great way to connect with other people and try new foods that I probably wouldn't find otherwise.  If you're interested in joining, check out the button below for the full details!

Women On Two Wheels

Driving in Gainesville frustrates me. No matter where I go there seem to be too many cars for to little roadway and too few parking spaces. As an alternative I started riding my bike more, and I love it. Except for my first week of work when I was still getting my bearings, I've ridden my bike to campus every day. Now I ride my bike almost everywhere I want to go since most places in town are so close to my apartment. Ever since I turned sixteen, my car has been a symbol of my independence. But now biking has given me a different sense of freedom that I really enjoy.

I had heard that there is an extensive network of trails in Gainesville too but wasn't sure how to access them.  This weekend my friend Marissa invited me on a ride of some local trails.  Her sister, Lauren organizes the Gainesville chapter of Velo Vixens, a biking group for women.  The group is particularly welcoming and supportive to beginners like me.

At 10:00 AM on Sunday, we met at Lauren's house, which is only 1.3 miles from my apartment.  Five of us with varying levels of experience rolled out across town with a sixth meeting us at a later leg.  I had so much fun riding trails though pine forests and grasses and even under I-75.  I had driven past a few of the parks before and had no idea the bike trails ran through them...right in the middle of town!  They are truly a hidden treasure that I was excited to discover.

Our 21.26 mile route!

Not so surprisingly to anyone familiar with my klutziness, I even got my first wreck out of the way. And in spectacular fashion none the less.  We came to a narrow bridge about four feet above a creek. I was a little nervous, but decided to go for it.  Halfway across the bridge I drifted to far to the side and couldn't recover.  Both my bike and myself ended up in the creek.  After I assured my fellow bikers that I was fine (aside from a few scrapes and a GNARLY bruise that later appeared on my side), they raved over what a badass wreck it was.  I had officially been initiated into the group.

The only thing left was to get back on my bike and keep peddling.  Later, I realized that subconsciously I never thought I was going to make it and ultimately resolved to fall before I even hit the bridge.  Having the confidence is the important part.  I need to trust my equipment and trust myself.  And maybe practice on the ramps at Lauren's house a little more. ;)

Scrapes, bruises, and all, it was a fantastic day.  I made some great friends, and I can't wait to ride with them again!

Our Crew Before Roll-out: Laura, Lauren, Sherry, Marissa, me, Christine, and Roo in front!
(Photo courtesy of Lauren Streifel)

For Those About To Rock

I’m not the kind of person who usually puts myself at the center of attention.  My introverted tendencies make me more inclined to find a quiet spot with a good book.  When I do go out, I’m more comfortable in small groups with people I know well instead of interacting with large groups of acquaintances.  However, when someone suggests karaoke night, I’m the first jump on board.  

Saturday night, Samantha and I met a bunch of people at Loosey’s, a bar downtown, to sing a few songs.  By the time we got there, the place was already packed.  We each grabbed a beer and met our friends at a table in the back.  I took a few drinks from my pint glass of liquid courage before handing the DJ my song requests.  The thing about karaoke is that song choice is critical.  Now is not the time to sing some weepy Savage Garden slow jam to your girlfriend.  You bore me with that shit.  Get out there with a kick ass song, and I don’t care if you sound like Frank Sinatra or William Hung.  If you really bring it, I’m going to cheer like hell for you. 

It seemed like forever, but my turn finally came.  I stepped onto the stage, microphone in hand.  Nervousness and excitement raged against each other.  The screen in front of me noted the instrumental intro, and I waited for my cue.  At the precise moment I spoke slyly into the mic, “Once upon a time, not so long ago…” What followed was probably my best-ever rendition of Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer.  My hand holding the mic was slightly shaky, but I don’t think anyone noticed.  The crowd, larger than I had ever sang in front of before, cheered.  The song faded out and I climbed off stage, strangers high-fiving me as I walked back to our table.   I was on the biggest karaoke high of my life.  The feeling returned as I sang Basket Case by Green Day, which brought half a dozen people to their feet dancing near the stage.

I’m never going to be a contestant on American Idol, nor do I have any ambition to be one really.  But I am a pretty damn good singer.  Few things have made me feel as good about myself as singing does.  I miss being part of a top-notch choir, and hopefully I’ll be somewhere long enough that I can join one again soon.  And once, just once, I want to say that I sang with a band.  I think that would be the adrenaline high of a lifetime for me.  But for now, I’ll keep bringing down the house, one karaoke night at a time.

Hot Damn! I Burned A Forest.

Today was an awesome day.  The sun was shining, the weather was mild, and I had my first experience starting a forest on fire.  I know, I know... Smokey Bear said that only I can Prevent forest fires.  But guess what, kids.  Smokey was a little overzealous in his fire-prevention campaign.  Forests are adapted to fire.  It returns nutrients to the soil, clears undesired species, and prevents and even larger fuel load from accumulating.  The lab where I now work studies these adaptations, and I'm sitting in on my boss's Fire Behavior class.

Today was our first burn at Austin Cary Memorial Forest, a teaching forest near Gainesville.  The fire started with a test spot near the corner and a go-ahead to ignite the perimeter.  I watched the flames slowly char the grasses near the road and smolder inward.  I expected something much more spectacular, but this plot is burned annually and I figured there weren't as many fuels.  Working around the corner along the south border we started a flanking fire running parallel with the wind.  Still, the plot burned slowly.  Then, the wind shifted direction and the fire roared towards the center of the block.    The flames intensified, gallberry shrubs crackled as they burned, and even the papery bark of a few longleaf pines glowed a bright orange.  Standing forty feet away, I could feel the heat radiating from the head fire.

For a closeted pyro like me, It was an exciting day.  I even got a turn with the drip torch to ignite the head fire.  Needless to say, I came home smelling like a chimney. I hope I didn't offend anyone sitting near me at the PEERs meeting! (But that's another story for another day.) Below are a few pictures from the burn.

We have ignition!

Creeping towards the palmettos 

Head fire flares just as the wind shifts 

Flames swirl around the base of a Longleaf pine

The burn progresses along the fire break