Ohh Desmond

Monday

We were told that we would be going to El Yunque National Park to do a a great hike, but actually its the following Monday. I really can't remember this day very well, but I know we were in the classroom a lot. We did some statistics and enjoyed life in the rainforest. We watched the movie Se7en (seven), which I liked. It has Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt, and Morgan Freeman. It's about two detectives who are hunting a serial killer who kills based on the seven deadly sins. We probably played banana grams this day too.

Tuesday

Lecture on Darwin and Natural Selection and Patterns of Biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest.  I took a long nap before a guest lecturer came to talk to us about orchids - James D. Ackerman. He wore a shirt that said UPR Natación, so I guess he swam at the University of Puerto Rico. I'm jumping to conclusions though because I didn't really ask him. We played some volleyball after dinner and then banana grams! Angelica, Niv, Yvonne, and I play loads. Yvonne is the champ, but Angelica and I beat her once each, which was very exciting. Literally, she wins almost every time. I'm improving and expanding my vocabulary of two letter words. Did some jump roping and pushups before a worksheet about statistics. Fun stuff.

Desmond, who runs CERC, left us today, which was sad. The dynamic won't be the same without him but we will adjust.

Wednesday

Today Nicole and I ran to the waterfall, which was lovely. Class until around 11:30. I napped until lunch and then we did some field work. Nick, Sid, and I collected insects using this one tool where you suck in through a tube and the insects travel through the tube into a container. It's a strange sensation because it feels like you are actually going to suck the insects into your mouth. Then we analyzed our data and made a powerpoint. A benthic ecologist came and spoke to us too. Yvonne and I ran to the waterfall again. It's a very short distance but its real steep. Dinner, Shower, and here I am. We have to watch this movie called Evolution and then write two pages about it.

So far 5 people have gotten pretty sick. I've been healthy and praying for that to continue. We've been passing around Emergen-C, but it tastes yucky to me.

Right now I can hear the sounds of Greg and Nicole jumping rope outside and the dog yapping. The stray dog I mentioned before has been living at the field station for a while now, but today he was lured into this cage type thing so he could be picked up by some sort of animal control. He's been yapping all day. Poor guy. Nick is playing his harmonica too - he's surprisingly good.

We are going to Old San Juan this weekend! Can't wait!