Reed is here. Reed is replacing Tim, who left for financial reasons (couldn't get anybody in England to rent his room, so he had to go back). He's in my (now our room). Just graduated from Humboldt University. I have to say, he does not meet my Humboldt stereotype of granola hippie. But he seems like a good kid and he seems to fit in very well already. On a similar note, Lucie is leaving. Her cat back home had an injury, and she feels guilty being so far away. And, mostly I think, she is just not enjoying herself here, for a variety of reasons. I'm sad to see her go, but really think its the best thing for her. One of Reed's friends is supposed to be coming down to replace her, but we haven't gotten final confirmation on that yet.
A stink bug flew into my eye. They secrete acid, so I basically got a shot of bug acid in my eye. I had a horrible allergic reaction to it, and my eye swelled up so much that it closed. I went to the ophthalmologist and he gave me drugs to make it better. The swelling has gone, but now I have a scab above and below my eye. Hopefully it will heal well and not scar!
My parents came down for my extended 5-day vacation. First we went to the cloud forest in Monteverde. It was very beautiful, and very different from the dry forest where I am. We went on a night walk and saw an orange-kneed tarantula, and kinkajous mating. We also went ziplining, which was very fun. Amazing to be flying above the forest canopy. Then we went to the beach, which included much relaxing, and a snorkel trip on a catamaran. They also got to see the monkeys! Not my monkeys, since no one was working with my group that day, but monkeys none the less. All in all, a great trip. I'm so proud of my parents for coming down and trying new things, and it was great to get some time away from the forest and some TLC from Mom and Dad.
During vacation, I turned 31. Really, I have to admit I do not associate that number with myself. How the hell did this happen? Its the first birthday where I really didn't care either way. Not dreading it like 30, or looking forward to it like 21. Just, mah..... I'm 31, whatev. New people down here will ask me if I'm still in school, or just graduated, and I can only assume they mean from undergrad. So, if people want to mistake me for being a decade younger than I actually am, let 'em. Who am I to stop them? Really, if I had to pick an age I'm probably closer to 21 than to 31 in terms of where I am in life and my outlook. You're only as old as you feel, right?
The early rainy season has started, which means a lusher, greener forest, but it also means that the monkeys are harder to follow. So, there is a lot more 'down time', where you really can't collect much data, because the monkeys are very high up, in the foliage. So, that leads to more boredom and frustration and stress. I think I've hit the 3 month lull. I feel completely comfortable with being able to collect all the data I need to, so there is nothing new to learn. Now I just have to power through it. But everyday something special happens, and I am reminded of where I am and what I'm doing, even if for a short time. The juveniles will be playing and being adorable, or one of the males will groom and love on one of the newborn infants or the sunrise lighting in the forest will be orange, and everything will look beautiful. Its usually something small, but its enough to raise my spirits.
With the rainy season also comes the mosquitoes. I cannot tell you how many bites I have, as I cannot count that high. I am trying to deal, but I am really quite a wreck physically, and I have no self control when it comes to scratching. And oven mits duct-taped to my hands for the next 5 months just won't work.
Adrienne and I went on my first visa run to Nicaragua. I liked Nicaragua. We stayed at a hostle called The Monkey Hut. Just hung out and ate and drank and slept. Adrienne got offered a job as a bartender at the hostel, and was tempted but chose to return to the monkeys. She's quite the life of the party, always a good time with that one....
I got to name a baby monkey! The rule is that whoever spots a newborn first gets to name them. The group I work worth is based on Harry Potter names, and I settled on Hufflepuff. Its not an actual character, but one of the houses of the magic school, or something like that. It was founded by Hilda Hufflepuff. Not the most prestigious of schools, but one based on loyalty and friendship, which is all I wish for this little monkey! My nicknames for him are Snugglepuff, PuffBear, and The Huffler. He (we think its a boy, but haven't been able to get a positive ID) was born on May 21, and in the last few weeks he's developed a mohawk. I haven't been able to get a picture of it yet, but swear to God he has a little tuft of hair that is darker than the rest of his hair on top of his head that sticks straight up. A mowawk. He is so adorable and I am obsessed with him. Luna also had a baby, but Valerie spotted him first, so she gets to name him. I think she's going with Errol. I love Errol, too, but he's just not as cute as Hufflepuff. Really, nothing is. Look at that face.
We went on an all-group vacation to Tamarindo (the beach). That was with Valerie, Adrienne, Anne-Sophie, Lucie and Tim. Team bonding time, and as a fairwell trip to Anne-Sophie, who left shortly after that. It was good time, stress-relieving. Valerie got a National Science Foundation grant (which is a pretty big deal), so to celebrate she bought us a surf lesson. We all had a good time.
I got a slonea spine in my eye. Slonea is a type of tree, related to a fig, whose fruit is covered with tiny spine-like fur. The monkeys rub the fruit on a branch, which gets the spines off, so they can eat the fruit. Of course, the spines go everywhere. If they get on your skin, they are extremely itchy, like fiberglass. I got one in my eye, and didn't really realize how bad it was, and that it needed to be removed by a professional.
So, I think I am all caught up. Or rather, whoever is reading this is all caught up. I will try to be better about posting..... ;)
Oh Sarah! Your poor eye! Was is the same one that got bug juice and a spine in it?
ReplyDelete