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Published: July 27th 2008
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The last week has been a lot of fun. Mostly people hanging out together and having good times. Last saturday Laurie (my advisor to all that don't know) decided we needed to throw a party. We invited everyone from Punta Santiago (the other researchers) and of course, their was the undergraduates, myself, and Laurie's friends. So in all, it was a lot of people. For the party we actually got the grill to work... not the little charcoal burning grill we have been using so far, but the huge propane powered grill. It would never have come together if it weren't for Mike's deep knowledge of grilling technology (he is an undergraduate). laurie went all out and bought Kabob materials and hot dogs and burgers. I didn't use to like burgers much, but the less meat I eat in general, the more I crave things like burgers. So it was especially delicious.
The next day, Laurie and crew left leaving the students and myself alone. We worked everyday this week and got a lot done. It is especially hot on the island right now... and probably will continue to be through august. I couldn't find my hat yesterday and got
sunburned on my nose and forehead. It looks so tacky! Mostly though, I think about my skin, so I have to order my stuff tonight and find everything so that doesn't happen again. (And yes, I did put sunscreen on).
On wednesday night, Doreen (a researcher here from Germany) had a pool party. She invited everyone over for pizza and drinks. She has been house sitting for a couple in the area... and obviously they have a pool. The owner is also really involved with rescuing dogs... so there were six dogs at the house! But I liked it. Besides that, everyone got in the pool and had a good time. I was actually surprized... I feel like usually in those situations people just sit around and talk or something. But there was this large inflatable dolphin - we named her sheniqua - it became a party wide obsession to try to be able to climb on top of it while in the pool (difficult). We also played "herpes b" or as you wold call it "marco polo." For the reader that doesn't know, Herpes B is the nasty viral disease one could possibly catch from the monkeys down
oldest monkey on the island
She is the same age as I am here. No one has every gotten it, which is a relief, because it kills like 90% of the people that get it. Anyway, to deal with that stress, we make endless herpes b jokes. And so it goes.
On thursday we went and saw batman. What an awesome movie! I loved it. Heath Ledger was so spooky. Afterward we went to Lolitas - a mexican restraunt near by. I love that place, but they ran out of everything that night... beef, margaritas, etc. So whatever. But it was still good. Rico taught us a new game. Basically you try to make different expressions with your eyes and your mouth like... do sad eyes and a surprized mouth. Its harder than you think. So we all tried a little bit, and the next table over thought we were nuts.
We took the next day off and decided to work on saturday instead. We slept in and then went to El Yunque for the day. That is the rainforest in Puerto Rico, its protected by a national park. We hiked to the top of the highest peak. Its a cloud forest, so all the vegetation is small, stunted and weird.
Usually its in the clouds, which makes it especially strange, and I like it that way - to see the clouds drifting by in front of your face and then they move away suddenly away so you can see 100s of feet away - but it was mostly clear when we went. But we could see a fair part of the island from up there, so that was pretty amazing too.
Yesterday, we worked in the morning, and it was another really hot day. At night, the girls in Punta threw a party themselves... a board game party. We played pictionary and then charades (ick!). Ok, I don't like doing charades, but it was pretty funny, and so was pictionary. Marie made brownies and Grace made rum cake... it was particularly good! I haven't had deserts like that since being in PR. So that was much appreciated.
Today, we are just relaxing. I'm getting my stuff together for the next leg of my trip, to Costa Rica. I have my first hotel booked, my ride from the airport, my travel insurance, and I've paid for my housing once I get to the reserve I'm going to be working
at (only $124 for the whole month!). I just need to go shopping for some essentials at Wal-mart (only place like that in town here), pack, send somethings I don't need home through the mail, prepare a next grant I want to send in on August 16th, get all of my data in quicktime format before I leave... and ... and... other things. Just in one week! And I have to work everyday! Whatever, it will all work out.
Peace
Kelly
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