In between....

In between finals and evaluations and start of the Winter quarter...I worked...my partner had life altering emergency appendectomy surgery...we had to put our love Manu down since he had an agressive lymphoma cancer in his mouth and body...very sad...M is recovering physically...then we got the hospital bill...ok we can handle this....negotiation is the key...and then the rain and wind storm...holidays...lists for the start of the new quarter...negotiating financing for school, grants and scholarships...and decorating and gifting and cookie making and gift giving and and and....meeting cousins and family and all sorts of fun heart warming adventures....

I am grateful to the powers that be that my M is healing and safe and we are together...there is no greater gift than love and health and family! I give thanks for all and more...

Books are ordered...art supplies are ordered.... classrooms scheduled and I am looking forward to all miracles that happen each day if we just take the time to look...

Bright Blessings Campers... keep those rowboats at the ready....who knows what Pineapple Express is coming your way!

Finals, what Finals...

Lordy where does the time go...finals...yes they happened, yes I had just a minor freak out before...only spaced on two questions in both finals...yes thats both.... each instructor had their own... we had two hours to write out two final exam answers...here is how it went
Am... meet with the pre sem group...cover answers we are not sure about...two others join in...asking question we covered two weeks ago...no problem...as the time grow nearer for seminar which is two hours before finals, we have to go over that last book read...honestly I don't remember anything of that seminar...all I remember after lunch is when I sat down at 3 pm and was handed both of the finals...two pens ready in case one failed and started to write...I wrote continuously for two hours answering to the best of my knowledge each question except the two I blanked on and also answered the bonus questions just in case...and as I finished the last question I had 10 mins left to review my exams...holy moly batmat...10 mins...so I reviewed in a most haphazard manner...2 minutes left. I looked at one of the non anwered questions and made my best guesss...that last one totally eluded me.... so I took the opportunity to express to my instructor how much I disliked Gifford Pinchot... and turned in my papers and left the building...

We got our finals and the comments at our evaluations...did I over worry perhaps...did I stress unduly... perhaps...

Needless to say the finals came out fine...I survived and was not docked for my cheeky response about Gifford Pinchot.

I finished my quarter with good marks and 16 credits...

I am now a Sophomore!

Who knew you could return to college as a freshman and in one quarter become a Sophomore! Love those transfer credits!

Winter Quarter starts January 4th!  Oh how I can't wait!!!!

First Quarter Final

There are no finals with an s, just one...two hours to write our brains out and as the rest of the quarter has moved so quickly...one better be prepared or get left in the dust.


I had every intention of writing daily in the blog and moving into the second quarter the will be more likely to happen as writing daily is an assignment, lol....


I must tell you that I have not ever been with such a great group of peeps in a class! Amazing to the last one and bright and I love when they share what's going on with them and their work at Evergreen. Just absolutely amazing folks and I am happy that most of us are continuing next quarter. I will miss those who are moving on to graduation or independent study! Gratz!


This quarter went by so fast and next week will be the last two days in which, we still have a book to read, prepare for the exam, a lecture following the exam, notebook to turn in, self evaluation and instructor evaluation to write. Oh yes and the meeting to go over the evaluations. Then I will be doing a presentation with 5 other of my peers to the provost and board of trustees after eval week.  We already turned in our illustrated field journals. Winter break assignment includes visiting Olympic National Park, hopefully the snow will wait till I'm back, even though I don't know when I am going...lol


This week was challenging due to the elections. I found that studying, reading or focusing on schoolwork for those 48 hours was a bust, so I let it go. Today is read the last book and start the serious final cramming, actually cramming is not the right word, I'd say review with an emphasis on "what the hell was that acronym for?" and "omg i can't believe i am not getting that, its sooo simple" then the oh i know that and 10 mins. later you forget.


I know I know all the material, but as another student said "as an introvert, its all there, you just have to find the pathway to let it out" I love that quote....true for most things....and when I'm not trying and someone yells out "hey Bridgid, what does_____ mean?" and I blurt out the answer without even blinking an eye. The brain is a funny thing, a wonderful thing, and I am very grateful to have one that functions. 


I hope as I explore the trails of learning that I fine tune my efforts, I love efficiency, that the energy will be spent wisely.
This was a learning quarter not just for knowledge, but for how things still work on the inside to outside connectively. 


There will be field trips next quarter with one of them spending the night back on the mountain in a cabin (thank the maker) and I look forward to seeing her in all her winter glory!


Till next week (I will be studying till then) keep your snow shoes handy this January and pull out that rain slicker...hopefully will will not need our wellies!

Name that fungi

Shroom found on the trail...hummm name that shroom...Carel?

Back on Campus!

We started back on campus September 30th a Thursday, thank the maker we had 3 days off to decompress and settle back into our bodies...it actually took a week but hey...worth the effort.


Classes are T, W, Th in Olympia. The morning lectures on Tuesday and Thursdays are either in the longhouse, which I prefer, or Lecture II which is more reminiscent of a traditional amphitheater with chalkboards and swivel chairs. Wednesday morning is in the Longhouse and more than likely has a slide show or film to view and discuss. The afternoon sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays are in Seminar and we report on books, articles and projects we have been assigned. 


Details to follow...


Ok Campers, adjust your pack and keep your write in the rain field notebook handy!

Days 3 through 10

Ok, so not to get too far behind I will just take you through the events of the day(s)


Morning just about every day my bio clock wakes me at 5:30 or so... its still dark and one of my tent mates wakes at about the same time...we dress in the dark trying to be quiet...oh left something out here...lol after the first night my tent of 20 years or so lost what was left of its weatherproofing and we had to abandon it for a canvas platform tent across the path. Thank the maker one was available. We added the other early riser a day later to make 3 in the canvas tent. It leaked in the front but kept us moderately dry...nothing in all of that rain was completely dry unless you slept in the campground conference room. Which others who had perfectly good tents had to because it rained so hard and so much the first couple of days.


After waking the two of us would run into Jeff and in the middle of the week Jeff asked if we could start the water for cleaning so to leave more time for him for other duties. No worries. 


Whomever was assigned to cook would be woken next and then the assigned cleaning group. We eat, we meet, we get announcements, then usually have 20 to 30 mins to pack lunch, take care of personal biz, get your daypack ready with items specific to your daily assignment, and don't forget your rain gear.


Each day the different teams would be assigned different tasks/hikes/field journal work.


There are still 6 groups, I think we are still grouped...lol


The Flying Squirrels A-1
The Spotted Owls     A-2
The Elks             B-1
The Devil's Club     B-2
The Red Algae        C-1
The Snow Worms       C-2




Each Lettered team would combine for daily duties and sometimes for daily assignments.


And it usually went like this: 
One day Hiking with guide learning about the different type of elevations and flora and fauna the they share, field journal was assigned. Our group hiked the Trail of Shadow, the Longmire trail to the water tower, Ricksecker Point, The Myrtle Falls trail/Skyline trail, Westside hwy past the Trail Head, Kautz Creek trail, Two firs Trail, The Sourdough Trail to Frozen Lake followed by the Burroughs Trail to the First Burrogh. This last hike was a challenge for me but I did it and a first for that elevation. The last hike was Pinnacle trail, apparently my nemesis, 1.1 miles of vertical assent. Our guide was so experienced he felt that this was a moderate hike. According to my turtledom hiking skills this was more like strenuous. Doug was very kind and made sure that we all made it down safely. My bad for not reviewing the details of the hike prior to going. This is where my knee and heal took some stress. The views of all the hikes were amazing even the last one where we had moments of clearing of clouds to see the valley below. We saw golden mantled ground squirrels, pika, and chipmunks. 


*** A big thanks to all my hiking groups who had the patience to wait for me to catch up. I am working on the stamina and strengthening my legs to keep up with you guys and getting trek poles!


Day two Service Learning, either re-vegetation or trail work. No field journal assignment and you got to shower that day. Our group did re-veg, trail work (hauling rocks and wet sand down the wonderland trail by reflection lake via wheelbarrow, sack or bucket...) then the last day the entire class did re-veg.


Day three would be a "drawing in nature" hike, field journal was assigned. 


Even with all the rain, the long days, the trying to keep up with my group and the assignments, I would so do this all over again! I feel a real connection to my classmates. We all helped each other out when someone needed something. We all learned, laughed and had a good time. Nothing will ever be as important as this trip...well I'll keep you posted...knowing our instructors and Evergreen I am sure something wonderful and enchanting and remarkable will occur.


Here is a list of some of the plants and Animals we saw on the trip:


Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, Red Cedar, Yellow Cedar, Pacific Silver Fir, Sub-Alpin Fir, Lodgepole Pine, Mountain Hemlock, Noble Fir, Devil's Club, Skunk Cabbage, Sitka Valerian, Red Huckleberry, Blue Huckleberry, Corn Lily, Red Alder, Ravens, Grey Jays, Turkey Vultures, Red Tail Hawk, Eagle, Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel, Chipmunks, Pika, Marmot, Black Bear, Mountain Goat, Snags, Nurse Logs, Deer Fern, Pilliated Woodpecker, False Lily of the Valley, Trillium, Bunch Berries, Heart Leaf, and a Grouse.


We also learned about some of the volcanic history, some of the glacial history and some of the history of flooding. Lahars, Glacial Outbursts, Earthquakes related to Volcanic activity make Mount Rainier one of the most active and interesting National Parks I've visited to date. There is so much more to share that we experienced but I'm going to leave that for future postings and just say I feel connected to a place.


cheers! Rest up campers and save up for your new upgraded gear!

Day 2 On the Mountain

Ok this may be the only other separate day I post...lots to share!!


Day 2 on the mountain was just as jamb packed and fun filled...


The morning lecture included safety and day preparation: sunscreen, plastic bags for your day pack, first aid, sunglasses, map, water, lunch and to be prepared for weather changes...at this point we would like a weather change, one that included some sunshine...lol...


We also had group participation on the 10 essentials for being out in the wild: water, first aid, warmth, tools, navigation (compass and map), the ability to signal, food and the knowledge to use all...


Lucia Harrison our other instructor had us practice our drawing using some of the tools from "Drawing from the right side of the Brain". A couple of quick sketches later we took care of camp life and got ready for our afternoon hike..


The Trail of Shadows is located just north and across the highway from the Longmire Inn. Longmire is a Historical District surrounded by old growth forests including Douglas Fir, Red Cedar, Western Hemlock to name a few.


This was my first hike utilizing my "write in the rain" notebook, draw a map and write down interesting species along both sides of the trail. Being an over achiever the map took up both sides of a page and certain highlights were numerated on map with corresponding text in the notebook. I would learn later that all of my species descriptions were supposed to go in a separate section by themselves thus reducing my daily entry to a few pages vs. a small tome. But then again...I hadn't gotten that far in the Grennell Field Journal textbook...no worries...


There was a plaque commemorating John Muir and I love the quote on it..." When you try to change any single thing, you find it hitched to everything else in the universe."


Later that afternoon we had a talk by creative writer and TESC Writing Center representative Sandy Yannone. She read the poem "The Fish" to us several times with instructions to listen with different criteria each time. By the end of the Poem I felt the presence of my Mom...cool and sad at the same time...


After dinner, we had a lecture by Ken Tabbutt, provost from TESC and Geologist who of course spoke on the Geology of Mt. Rainier. Some of the information I studied before, but then there were a few notes on this specific mountain that made me realize how different this volcano was to say Mt. Shasta in California. He passed around different samples of volcanic rock specific to Mt. Rainier: Granadiarite and, Andracite. May the goddess help me I did not write down the third type of rock...He also spoke of Lahars...cohesive and non cohesive. Cohesive Lahars are not volcanic in origin while the non-cohesive are. With all the glacial ice up there, it doesn't matter how the Lahar starts the results could be devastating to the lower regions of the Puget Sound. Apparently one brought debris all the way down the mountain to Tacoma...ok then campers


In So Cal you have earthquake drills, in the midwest Tornado drills on the gulf and east coast huricane drills...up here people we  have Lahar drills....


So know where your high point is and keep those car keys handy...


Cheers