The Office

A last minute, fifteen-page paper and packing for a 10 day trip to South America did this to our office:

Messy floor....

All my crap ready to be put in my bag

This is what our desk looks like.

I think the paper is coming on the trip, unfortunately.

Spring Break

I went to the first class meeting associated with my Galapagos Islands spring break trip last night (PP495), and I could not be more excited about it! I am really looking forward to exploring all the animals and seeing the volcanoes. If I were to chose a trip for spring break, I probably would have picked something in Europe (even though I've been there 3 times already because I am obsessed with it) so I am glad the availability of spring break trips worth 3 credit hours were limited to just two--one of which I had already been on so it was not an option. I really had no choice of where to go. When I was looking for trips I found nothing that fit into the spring break time frame and offered three credits. I found a ton worth 1 credit, but I had to get 3 to graduate. Right before I found this trip, I was getting so desperate I was willing to go anywhere--except for maybe Juarez or Kandahar. But, really, I was willing to go anywhere in the world, if I could just get three credits...and then, alas! I found a professor at State who had been on a trip to Belize last year for 3 credits. Though he had no trip posted anywhere, I emailed him to see if he was planning something (this was last year in the spring). Sure enough, he was! Lucky for me, he had this trip in mind. I am so excited because it is not something I would have picked. I would have probably never made a trip of my own accord to see these fascinating islands brought into existence through volcanic eruption beneath the sea...and now that I have learned a little bit about them, I know how much I would have been missing out on. In 1978, the Galápagos Islands were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in recognition of their “outstanding value to humanity." There are so many animals who reside in peace and have remained relatively untouched by human development. This has given these animals a sense of fearlessness. According to my professor, you can walk right up to them and touch them...and they are totally okay with it. He even said sea lions will swim right between your legs! Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area, that sounds crazy to me! and really scary to be honest. Nonetheless, I am super excited to see them closeup...especially the babies!

how adorable!

Apparently, penguins from the Antarctica even live in the Galapagos. Scientists claim at one time a huge piece of an iceburg cracked (full of penguins), and it floated all the way to the islands. The Humboldt Current keeps a steady flow of sardines flowing from the icy south up and over to the islands to feed these little guys.

Last summer, scientists found a new species, and the place they found it was on Wolf Volcano on Isabela island in the Galapagos Islands. It is so weird to me that we are still discovering species. Anyway, it was a pink iguana and the only place in the world that it lives is on that volcano. Maybe we will see it. That would be cool.
I'm really looking forward to taking pictures out there--as well as totally nervous about breaking my camera. Hopefully, only the former will happen.
Here is a map for anyone wondering where these islands are. They are right off the coast of Ecuador--about 600 miles out.

Saying Goodbye

My sister has been here in NC staying with us since January 7th. She is flying home to San Francisco on Thursday, and I am so sad to see her go! She got here two days before my spring semester started, and with work everyday I'm not in class, I feel like I we haven't got to do as much as I'd hoped. It was still so fun seeing her everyday! For the past 6 years, I've only got to see her 1-3 times a year so this was a nice treat.

Best of luck on this new chapter, Tee! We love you!
Me & Tee (and our mom) on Thanksgiving

Can't My Paper Just Write Itself?

I wish it would. It is funny because lately I've found an interest in random books, history, poems, etc....you know, things one would most likely have to read in college. Well, the funny part is that I've been thinking to myself, "Man, if only I had more time, I would totally read (insert said book)"...but then I think, "Wait, this is the same kind of stuff I am assigned to read...so maybe I can just try to enjoy my homework!" But, nope.

I'm not sure why this semester is completely miserable, but for some reason I am just over it. I am counting down the remaining weeks. I think it might be so terrible because all of my classes this semester are NOT interesting. At All. Could be why....now back to that paper.

The Nile Perch

I am busy writing a paper for my sociology class: Current Social Problems (totally uplifting course, I know). After about an hour of research with little information to show for my efforts, I adopted a negative attitude toward writing this paper. UGH. Right? Well, now I am reading about these kids in Tanzania...and by kids, I mean about 10-17 years old...most of them orphans with nothing at all to eat--orphans whose parents fell victim to the AIDS epidemic. They have literally nowhere to sleep and nothing at all to eat; these kids sniff melted plastic to sleep soundly through the night on the streets. This isn't the story of a few homeless kids...this is the reality for thousands and thousands of people in Tanzania. It is a serious problem heavily impacted by the non-stop spreading of AIDS. It is unbelievable. It completely breaks my heart.
36% of the population in Tanzania is living way below the country's established poverty line--which I can only assume is way lower than our established poverty line.

I am thankful I have to write this paper...thankful that writing this paper is my biggest worry at the moment. I'm lucky to live where I live and to be in school. I'm thankful I have the opportunity to write papers. Sometimes it is so easy to forget everything we have. It is easy to take things for granted...so easy to think of opportunities as burdens.

If you haven't seen it, you should watch this movie

Busy, Busy, Busy!

It is has been so busy around here lately! I decided to give up facebook for the week. It seems like when I get on facebook, next thing I know it has been an hour. So, since I have a TON of school work to catch up on & three exams coming up, I decided not to let myself get on at all. Hopefully, I'll be able to get caught up with all my school stuff.

Benji is leaving tomorrow night to fly down to Florida for a workout/tryout with the Tampa Bay Rays. We'll see how that goes. He'll be down there Wednesday and is flying home Thursday morning. Wish him luck!

In other news, my older brother proposed to his gf, Felicia, in Greece a couple weeks ago. I am SO excited. We all totally love her. You can see her ring in this picture on her left hand!

Their wedding is planned for June 25th.

I am loving all these summer weddings in California--keep 'em coming! Maybe another cousin will get married in the summer in 2012 (or a sister!, lol).

Our little niece is growing! Brighton gained 4 ounces last week! She was supposed to gain at least two, so she is doing good! I'm pretty sure she eats all the time. Every time I see her, she is either sleeping or eating.



Back to the books!

Labor Day & Fantasy Football

Here are some pictures for Benji's fantasy football draft/cookout

This is Nick with his HUGE draft board....omg

Megan came over! 3 days past her due date!!!!

Aaron playing corn-hole with David, Weston and Adam

Hurricanes corn-hole boards! I'm sure Aaron wanted to keep them since he is obsessed with the Hurricanes (Carolina's NHL team)

Weston & Adam

Me & Miss Brittany