Vacations are exhausting.

So, I didn't really go on vacation but I did take the last week off of work. Though in truth, it is more realistically called volunteering until next week when I officially start getting paid. Yay, money! Anyhow, I spent the last week house sitting for my boss while she was out of town. She lives in a beautiful home halfway up a mountain in the middle of the woods with a big garden and a little pond and a medium sized hammock on the porch. It was a lovely week and I only caved in and went to work once.

My mother and little sister came to visit me over the weekend. On Friday we went to quite an intriguing lecture about amphibians and the chytrid fungus which I will hopefully write a little about later. We also went to see the Smithsonian's traveling exhibit about Jim Henson. I was really struck by what an impact he had on my life through Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock and other things I grew up with like the Dark Crystal. He was quite an cool person and it was neat to look through a progression of his work and get some insight into the workings of his mind. I hope to be 1/10th as creative and full of humor as he seemed to be. They would not allow me to take pictures however because they are cruel and torturing people so alas I have no images to share with you. Then, after a yummy sushi dinner as Spices (boy, I hadn't realized quite how much I missed sushi out here in middle of nowhere VA), we drove back to the house halfway up the mountain and just relaxed. On Saturday we went to Luray Caverns and had a generally good time wondering at the beauty of nature. Our planned cook out in the stone fire pit got rained out so I cooked everyone dinner inside and portabella mushrooms were never more delicious. On Sunday we lazed around instead of going on the planned hike, got ice cream, and then sadly, my family left.

I am realizing lately how much I really miss constantly being around people. When I lived in DC, I at least could wander out and be swept up in the hustle and bustle of the city. I love the peace and tranquility here but sometimes I just want someone to talk to! Sigh.

Anyhow, tomorrow marks the official start of my part time job here and I start getting paid. I am driving into DC for an orientation tomorrow. The rest of the week I am attending the Virginia Environmental Educators Conference with some co-workers. It should be fun!!!

Anywho, nothing too earth shattering to share but I felt like letting you know some of my goings on. I had my mom bring me my half-broken laptop and a monitor to hook it up to so I should be able to get more writing done over the next few months. Unfortunately I'm not picking up any wireless signals here though so I will only be able to post as I get a free moment on my work computer.

Blah blah blah... I am going to go wonder off into the rain and then pass out because I are exhausted!