Estación

Unnecessarily long day around the station, definitely missed being out in the field after four straight. Tinny has an ankle and the REU mentor symposium was today so fieldwork was pushed back. Squeezed in about 5-5.5 hours of sleep and still got to breakfast before most.

Brushed the old teeth and scooted over to the visitor’s center for the start of the symposium. It’s always exciting to learn about other people’s research. 11 or 12 mentors gave 20-25 minute talks from about 8:30am until 3:00pm. Coffee and snack break too. It rained three separate times today.

After lunch Debra, Amanda & Dr. Chazdon went to LEP to start the seedling-mapping project. Spaced out for a little while after the symposium, gathered myself and hit the porch. Did a minute amount of reading; Amanda, Danielle & Susan decided to write a reggaeton song…

During my spacing out, I tried to think of one moment that put me where I am right now, in CR and life-wise. Tenth grade biology, Ms. Vetrano. Sitting in class one day we were talking about cellular respiration. When Ms. Vetrano started to explain the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation I remember being completely consumed and fascinated. From there I became a stellar bio student and then, y’know, one thing leads to another. I’m always amazed by the singular moments and conversations that will stick with me forever, and that they all have some reason behind them. Crazy stuff.

Spent some time reading about the great Roger Clemens comeback and the Yanks’ fifth straight after dinner. On the note of sports news, Tennessee?!?! You don’t bow out of a rivalry after winning three straight and the match-up being voted the best in all of women’s sports. Depressing news from the big CT.

Around 8:30pm went over the REU Student/Mentor Mixer (bad name, REU Throwdown would have been more successful). Chit-chatted for a few hours with a few people. Pretty low key; exotic meats man Steve is a really good dancer…quickly becoming my idol for his knowledge of ants, dancing, and, of course, exotic meats.

Tomorrow is chock-full of activities. First, time in the field doing some heights with Dr. Chazdon and Tinny. Lunch. Meeting with Dr. Chazdon about all the questions I’ve been saving for three weeks. Then, hopefully, to town for Tico futbol and Eskimo Churchills. Good stuff. Maybe game two of the Finals will be on, maybe. Peace.

BP