Starting classes...

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So on Thursday we had an introduction to all of our classes which was pretty cool, although I am finding it difficult to get back into the mode of doing school work. It is especially difficult to imagine doing homework and taking tests while being out in the rainforest. It just seems kinda wrong. I'm not the only one who feels this way, don't worry. =) But all of the classes seem really great and all of the profs are amazing. I am sooo incredibly excited for the ecology class, although it is definitely going to be the most work. Ah well. AC, next week we start taking AM bird walks and of course I thought of you. =) I have already seen some cool stuff. I keep seeing Sulphur Crested Cockatoos everywhere. They seem to be constantly flying overhead. Hopefully I'll be able to get some pics but if not at least I'll have some stories to tell. on the 18th we are going to have a bird quiz so I need to start studying for that. At least it seems much more reasonable than my lab final in ornithology last semester. And the birds are so much cooler!! Yesterday we had a very long but really fun day. We had an ecology lecture, followed by an exercise outside working with examining different soil types, then another ecology lecture, and then went on my field trips, for about 5 hours, to see different geologic sites and some other stuff. That was really great. Being taken to see things like volcanic craters (now lakes) and huge gorges and stuff. We also went on a walk in the hopes of seeing a Cassawarie (wow spelled that way wrong) but no such luck. However, we saw an stunning waterfall and also some really gorgeous butterflies and of course just amazing rainforest trees. Everywhere. One of the places we stopped had amazing panoramic views so I took lots of pics that hopefully eventually will make it up here. So it was a long day filled with LOTS of info being thrown at us, but it was awesome none-the-less. =)

This morning we had breakfest earlier and then we went to a tree-planting with some of the local community. There were a fair amount of people, and 30 of us or so, and altogether we planted 2000 rainforest type trees. It was fun but tiring and we got extremely dirty. I was quite dumb and didn't wear gum boots and so my sneakers got reeeeeeeeally muddy as did my socks. But most of the class was in the same situation as me so I didn't feel as bad. Next time I know to just bring the gum boots just in case. Shortly we are going to be heading out to that same crater lake, called Eachem Lake, to have a "swim test" and just laze around. I am quite excited. It will be nice to swim and just relax. Although I think it may end up raining. We shall see.

I am pretty sure I saw a Paddemelon last night, finally! They are everywhere so most people had already seen one. They are like smaller forest kangaroos. So cute! Really hard to get a pic though.

Am still loving it here. Miss all you guys. I'll try and post here as often as I can and emails and phone calls.

<3
Jackie

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