Updated

I recently had a friend point out that my blog has been depressingly barren as of late. My apologies, but life tends to be a little distracting these days. Oooh, shiny and all that. With the spring weather, sunshine, new green leaves, and birdsong has come a fresh wave of joy into my life. My recent resolution to stop worrying about such trivial things as relationships has proven easier than I had thought. I have taken the zen approach; acknowledge that the potential is there for someone to be in my life but let the details sort themselves out. This revelation was like a breath of fresh air. My confidence has soared and I am now free to flirt and hang out with friends in a worry-free state of mind.

I have also been keeping myself busy with my career, my passion. I successfully co-coordinated Bird Fest at the National Zoo and it was a great time. I have heard nothing but compliments about it. The weather went from an extreme scorching 80 degrees the first day to a frigid 50 the next but the rain held off, possibly thanks to the aid of the 4 four leaf clovers I picked early on that weekend. (Superstitions make me smile. What's the point of life if you can't believe in a little magic.) My boss has told me repeatedly that I did an amazing job. She loved the mural I painted, the activity I designed worked great with a few modifications, and the school shows went off without a hitch. Consequently, I have been singing the Superbird songs word for word over the last week because I watched the program 8 times. I keep getting the urge to dance as well and think I am better off for it.

I have been enjoying the bike I recently procured from my best friend. Zipping all over town is fun, though some of the hills have been giving me a hard time. I need to invest in a helmet sometime in the near future. In other news of recent physical exertion, I have made a resolution to be able to stand on my head without the aid of a wall before the year is out. I was thrilled to realize that I could balance a little ways from the wall and will endeavor to increase my overall strength through yoga and spontaneous fits of dancing.

This past weekend has been a testament to my recent relaxed state. Despite not having a single day off, I managed to finish two full novels. It reminds me of the days when I used to read five books a night, nestled under the bed sheets with a flash light.

In a week, my best friend and sister will be here to hang out. We already have three big night planned of girlish goodness. Then I leave for Ohio on the 18th. Spend a few days with my family, hopefully catch a movie and maybe a few drinks with some friends, and swing some long neglected foam at practice. Please let me know if you want to hang out while I am in town, I would love to see you! Warning: I may be teetering on the edge of broke. Most of my money is currently being funneled into my trip to Ecuador. I leave on May23rd for the Southern continent and am excited beyond words! Two weeks of trekking through the pristine cloud forest, surveying populations of amphibians, birds, and bats=bliss!

I get back to Ohio on June 7th and am unsure as to what will happen between then and June 25th when I move on to my next internship. I will be living on sight as liaison for the Nature Camp that the zoo runs at their Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, VA for two months. I may hang around in Ohio for a few weeks until the 25th but more likely I will move back to DC briefly to help my boss with some projects that she is desperate for my help with. It is really gratifying to know that I am needed and that people think I do good work.

Well, I think that is enough of an update for now. The only other real time sinks for me at the moment are painting, trying to flesh out a few childrens books ideas I have, and snuggling with my room mate's kitties who I am going to miss desperately after I move out.

Huggles and I miss you all!
~Hannah