Today I started work. Mostly I hung around the lab and got a feel for what other people are doing and signed some safety papers. ... And filled out papers to get my name badge, which I'm really excited to get!

Here is a link to some information about the pathogen the the scientists I'm working for are researching. It's nasty stuff... CLICK HERE

I got the job!

The research lab called to offer me the job an hour and a half after my interview! I start next tuesday, and can't wait. The people I'll be working for are researching a specific pathogen that is spreading through nurseries and the forests. They are focusing on the nursery aspect. I'll be looking at leaves a lot is mostly what I've learned about it so far. On tuesday I go in for paperwork and whatnot, so I'll know much more, hopefully!

Work opportunities!

I've been searching all over for some part time work the past few weeks, and have either come up with nothing interesting or nothing that is hiring for this term. ... And then there was the one job I really wanted, but didn't get, in the Health Promotion Department. They will be hiring for two more positions in the spring, so maybe I will try again then. My friend, Tyler, forwarded me an e.mail last night about tree planting for a local environmental chemistry company. They apparently are doing a couple conservation projects on private farmland on the Oregon coast in Tillamook and Nehalem. It's just for a few weekends over the next couple months, but I met with one of the people from the firm this morning, and I'm going to help them plant 2500 plants and trees this weekend! I'm very excited to get outside, in the fresh air, plus it will be a very high paying job with travel, hotel, and food all paid for. I'm so excited!

The man I spoke with this morning kept saying things like, "You should wear boots. They will get wet. Do you have boots that you'd be okay with getting dirty?" and "The weather should be okay, but you should bring raingear, and maybe a stocking hat, it could be as low as 45 in the morning!" I sort of laughed at him, and made some comment about running a chainsaw with 8 other men at 10,000ft in a foot of snow, at temperatures as low as 2 degrees F. I think he'll be happy with my work.

I also have an interview in an hour for a part time job in a government horticulture lab on the edge of campus. It's just a lab assistant position, but it would be an excellent way to gain experience and knowledge. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and I hope it doesn't rain too much on the coast for me and my tree planting companions. I'll try and take pictures with my little digital camera while i'm out there!

It's Days Like This

It's days like this when it's 35F at noon, and you couldn't pull a cloud from sky, even with a fine toothed comb, that I really... miss... Colorado. I used to think Jan-Feb in Oregon was really swell for this bone chilling, potentially sunburning phenomena, but really that's what it was like every day in Durango. Once summer was over, I remember how exciting it was to see clouds, because that meant it might warm up five degrees from the day before. Phil has the 45mph winds and threat of snow right now, and I guess that same pattern is moving our way since we are expected to have 50-60mph winds and snow for the rest of the week. And then I ask myself, why do I write entire blog posts about the freaking weather? That's just how exciting I am :)

We have a fireplace!

This is Rach and me in front of our fireplace in our cute house! We need firewood that's not wet though, and the whole fire thing will work out better. 

This is my new home. Since only mom and Phil have seen it, I thought I'd share it with the rest of you!