Preparation for the Great Migration

I had a bit of an “Oh $#%T” moment when I got back to Point last night (and am still continuing to have it, mind you!) after bringing home a bunch of stuff to keep there over the summer. 

I’m still finding it a little overwhelming and hard to believe that in a less than I week, I am going to be westward bound, hot on the trail to Nevada. It is one of those surreal moments where you think this can’t be quite right. However this opportunity found its way to me, I’m glad of it. I am beyond excited, albeit it’s a quiet excitement, at least on the outside. 

On the inside, well now, that’s a different story. I’m flipping out!  So much to do, so much to organize, who are these people I’m going to be living with for the next three months, will I be the odd person out, are we going to mesh together ok…???? And still so many people left to make last minute visits to. 

OK, just breathe…I really shouldn’t be this wigged out. I’ve gone numerous new places for an extended amount of time without incident. Why is this any different? Can’t really explain that one.

I’m trying, somewhat unsuccessfully, to stay focused for the remainder of the week. I’m taking all of my final exams early in order to get out to Nevada on time, so it is major crunch time! Then what’s she doing here…? I know, I know…There are simply too many thoughts swirling in mind that I’ve got to get them out. 

I just spent the last two and a half hours finishing up my last paper for my outdoor writing class, so I needed a little breather…I’m rather proud of this paper too. This time I wrote a natural history article about the preservation of the Quetico-Superior Wilderness in northern Minnesota and along the Canadian border. I very loosely covered its geology, wildlife, unique distinction as a transition zone between boreal and hardwood forests, and the human elements, of course, including Ojibwe settlement, the fur trade, white pine logging, and iron ore mining. This is all culminated in the “crusade for conservation” of natural resources of the region and ultimately its preservation as a designated wilderness. Pretty neat stuff!

It seems I’m still channeling Sigurd Olson. I can live with that.

When I’m not channeling Sigurd Olson, I’ve been nose deep in everything else, frantically trying to finish up a few assignments, study for exams, pack up the rest of my room and coordinate housing with my fellow technicians. Still haven’t got that last one figured out yet. Working on it though! 

I also managed to snag time with a few friends I haven’t seen in a while, play with two of the most awesome toddlers at our end of the year barbecue (my arms and neck are still feeling that one!), and do some good old-fashioned manual labor turning my grandma’s compost, in the rain (still feeling this one too!) All of these things added up to be great therapy just to let go of all the little things, if only for a little while. 

Having these moments keep me grounded, and for that, I couldn’t be more grateful.