Saturday, July 18, 2009

I'm going to a permaculture seminar! I'm very excited - I'm only recently getting into this and don't really anticipate being able to do anything meaningful until I get out of college, but for now I'm happy just to be learning. I also was offered free tickets right after I decided to go! Hooray!!

Yesterday, I had the chance to do something I've been dreaming about for ages - I got to witness the opening and inspection of a beehive! I love love love bees (and honey!) and seeing them all in action was fascinating. They were so organized and so chaotic at the same time - bumbling around while obviously intent on doing their jobs. The queens (there were three hives) were so different and I had fun finding them each time. I'm hoping maybe next year I can get my own hives - beekeeping is definitely a new life goal of mine. 

Sunday, July 12, 2009

So I guess keeping a regular blog is harder than I thought.. I'll defend myself this time though with the excuse that I haven't been neglecting all my duties (blogging and otherwise) out of laziness, but instead out of complete lack of time. Really! I'm so busy lately, which makes no sense as a college student on summer vacation. I think the difference is that during the school year, I devote most of my time to school. It's summer now, so I want to spend all my time going places and doing things, but instead I have a job. So I add a busy social/vacationing schedule to an exhausting work week, and then further stress out because I can't take care of my house like I need to.  I'm getting better at it though, and managed to go camping last weekend and still get a lot of things done. 

Camping was another adventure altogether. My family has been going to a campground in Manistee National Forest for years, but I haven't been able to make it since middle school. I couldn't get off work as much as everyone else, so I drove up by myself later to meet everyone up there. So what happens? Just as I'm feeling proud for making a trip all by myself, my car dies! Getting a car towed back home is expensive. No joke. Fortunately for me, my wonderful boyfriend took pity and lent me his car for the weekend so I could still make it to the lake, and I had a perfect weekend of beach soccer, tent sleeping, beach parties, and campfire food. On the way home however, my car unluckiness is solidified: his car breaks too! About ten miles from where I was the first time, and apparently a crank shaft pulley falling off is supposed to be impossible? Who knows - but it did suck. Luckily, everything worked out in the end and both cars are now up and running again, but it was quite a situation for awhile.