Wednesday, May 28, 2008
One More Thing for Today
I was in my car, on the way to work. I turned on the radio and started flipping through the stations trying to find something to listen to. I finally found a channel just as it was starting to fade out. But while I still had the channel they announced what the temperature was and what the expected high was - in CELCIUS. I picked up a Canadian radio station.
Perhaps
I think I may have found something, as far as working goes, that I enjoy doing. I like soil determinations and just about anything that has to do with working with topography maps and the like. That's what I did today, at least for part of today.
I started out the morning working on soil determinations again like I had started to yesterday morning. The difference today was that I was actually the one running the programs on the computer and was able to help make decisions on what things were. Yay!
This morning I was also able to go out in the field, twice. The first time I went with Charlie and Rose to go to a "Site Showing." Site showings are when it's advertised to contractors that work with environmental projects that an area is going to be coming up for some kind of project. Potential plans for the project are drawn up and each contractor that shows up gets a copy. Then when everyone is on site, a member of the Soil and Water Conservation District, in our case Jim, gives an overview of the site and what is planned to be done. The site we were ate is going to be a bank restoration project so that the stream will not cut into the field anymore than it has. With this particular project the contractors were given a week to submit sealed bids to the SWCD and next week they'll be opened.
The second trip into the field today was with Charlie and Jon. We went to check on how the construction is coming on a diversion ditch next to a farmer's field. This meant that I was taught how to use the surveying equipment. Once we had walked the site we then needed to take some "shots" of the site - meaning we had to find out the elevation of different points in the ditch that was being worked on. It was kind of fun actually. It was even fun when later at the office we had to use the notes we took from surveying to plot the progress of the ditch as compared to what it was planned to be and what the land was like before. Unfortunately the project didn't quite fit the original plans.
I then spent the rest of the day in the office. I worked on more HEL determinations and tried to stand the smell of one of our new volunteers - she's a smoker who must take a break every few minutes, I don't see how she can work any where and get anything done.
Overall, today was a very good day.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
My First Day
Today I started work in my new position as a soil conservation student trainee working for the federal government. So of course because it is the federal government I spent the first four hours of my day filling out paper work that allows me to work for the government and get paid with your tax dollars. That was quite boring, especially because I've already been through all of this paper work, at least most of it, with the job I have back at home in the lab. Although now I will actually have a need to drive government vehicles. Another new piece of paperwork I had to complete was that for New York state taxes. Tax forms can be confusing.
I was introduced to everyone and everything in my office. Being introduced to the people = normal, being introduced (like "Kelsi this is the fax machine, fax machine this is Kelsi") = strange boss. I think my boss can be overly nice and a bit weird. My co-workers are cool though. And eventually this summer I'm going to meet the other interns.
My day after paper work goes something like the follows. Took my lunch break - ate lunch at my desk and read some of "Midnight Assassin." Finished more wonderful paper work. And then I actually did something! I worked with a couple of my co-workers determining HEL - Highly Erodable Land. I guess I'll be working with that a lot this summer, as long as I don't get it all done and run out of things to do.
One thing that I don't think my boss has quite caught onto yet is that I catch on to things usually very quickly and that I've had quite a bit of experience with slopes, soils, the web soil survey, and the county soil surveys. I realize that not every intern has had the experience that I've had but I don't want to be treated like an idiot either.
Once we were done working on that I basically sat around. Read some more of my book, cruised around the NRCS website because I'm not really allowed to look at much else. Every move I make on my computer at work is tracked by the man. On that note, I do have my own desk and computer. I did also do some geometry like practice problems that dealt with things that I'll potentially be working with - like sizes and depths of ponds, cliff faces etc. To me it's interesting stuff, at least the potential idea that I'll be working with that stuff, not so much the geometry.
One last thing about today. With my job, like I did at the lab, I earn vacation hours with every time period. Unfortunately I can't transfer the hours I earn this summer back to my job at home. They are forcing me to use up my hours before the end of tour of duty. At least that makes it a lot easier to go get my man at the airport than it would have been otherwise.
I was introduced to everyone and everything in my office. Being introduced to the people = normal, being introduced (like "Kelsi this is the fax machine, fax machine this is Kelsi") = strange boss. I think my boss can be overly nice and a bit weird. My co-workers are cool though. And eventually this summer I'm going to meet the other interns.
My day after paper work goes something like the follows. Took my lunch break - ate lunch at my desk and read some of "Midnight Assassin." Finished more wonderful paper work. And then I actually did something! I worked with a couple of my co-workers determining HEL - Highly Erodable Land. I guess I'll be working with that a lot this summer, as long as I don't get it all done and run out of things to do.
One thing that I don't think my boss has quite caught onto yet is that I catch on to things usually very quickly and that I've had quite a bit of experience with slopes, soils, the web soil survey, and the county soil surveys. I realize that not every intern has had the experience that I've had but I don't want to be treated like an idiot either.
Once we were done working on that I basically sat around. Read some more of my book, cruised around the NRCS website because I'm not really allowed to look at much else. Every move I make on my computer at work is tracked by the man. On that note, I do have my own desk and computer. I did also do some geometry like practice problems that dealt with things that I'll potentially be working with - like sizes and depths of ponds, cliff faces etc. To me it's interesting stuff, at least the potential idea that I'll be working with that stuff, not so much the geometry.
One last thing about today. With my job, like I did at the lab, I earn vacation hours with every time period. Unfortunately I can't transfer the hours I earn this summer back to my job at home. They are forcing me to use up my hours before the end of tour of duty. At least that makes it a lot easier to go get my man at the airport than it would have been otherwise.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
And I'm In
Today I moved in. I am completely moved into my apartment, including having inflated my bed (I'm sleeping on an air mattress this summer. My apartment is INTERESTING. I currently have neighbors but they're all going to be moving out in the next few weeks, some of them, the ones I have met, are pretty nice. One thing about my apartment though is that the parking places are all messed up and someone's in my spot. I have three doors to lock when I go in and out of the building - the door to the building, the door to the stairs, and the door to my apartment. Right now there's supposed to be a light outside the building near my outside door, but I think it's burnt out, and there's supposed to be a light in the stairwell between my second and third doors but I believe my property manager said the electrician had to come and fix something with it.
My tv, lamps, cable, internet, chairs, etc., are all set up. Although, I certainly did not plan on having a tv. It just turned out that the property manager of my apartment had an extra tv and a couple extra lamps sitting around her place so she let me borrow them. She's a really nice lady, although she seems to run 1000 miles a minute, always forgetting something.
My tv, lamps, cable, internet, chairs, etc., are all set up. Although, I certainly did not plan on having a tv. It just turned out that the property manager of my apartment had an extra tv and a couple extra lamps sitting around her place so she let me borrow them. She's a really nice lady, although she seems to run 1000 miles a minute, always forgetting something.
Home
I almost want to come home. Sometimes I think I made a huge mistake by coming out here. Who would've thought it could be so bad? Maybe it's just because I haven't settled into anywhere really yet, I've constantly been with my mom for the last 7 days and I haven't started my job yet.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Apartment Hunting
I am exhausted. It has been such a long day and it doesn't help that I need to get away from my mother. I am fed up with riding in the car, especially with her. When I'm driving my mother can be much more of a hazard than other drivers. Whenever we're behind someone who's stopping or turning mom tries to stop the car by freaking out and pushing her hands against the dashboard. What is that going to do? Absolutely nothing. It's no help what so ever, it's a hazard. No matter how much my dad and I try to get her to stop it doesn't work, it just becomes worse.
I tried to find a place in East Aurora so that I could ride my bike to work and no have to drive to work because the gas prices are outrageous. Gas here is right around $4/gallon. Unfortunately that was a no go. So I tried to find a place within 10 minutes drive time of my office - nadda. Last night I found a place on craigslist and called the number listed with it. It ended up that mom and I quickly changed out of our pj's and drove about 20 minutes to Holland to look at the place. It was cheap but didn't have a stove or fridge and i would've needed to pay electric, gas, water, garbage and I think there was something else. It was also in a building with 5 other apartments that mostly all had older men in them. So I decided I didn't really want to live there, besides it also smelled really bad and I didn't like the town in was in at all.
I lucked out this morning though. I picked up the Buffalo News and immediately looked in the classifieds. There were about 7 different listing for places somewhat close to work. I called a few and like most of the other people I've talked to about apartments they weren't very nice. Most places wont rent to a college student or a college aged student first off and then if you mention that you're looking for a short term lease your chances of finding a place become even worse. My stipulations for an apartment were the following: I'm college aged, I'm from a completely different state and only know one person in East Aurora, and to top it off I needed a place for only three months.
I then called this number for a place in West Seneca. The lady who answered was incredibly nice. That was amazing to hear someone as nice as she was as compared to just about everyone else. I asked if the 1 bedroom apartment would be available for a three month lease, to which she responded "Of course." So mom and I got in the car and headed on up to West Seneca. The apartment was great. There's lots of light, it has a feeling of safety, there's plenty around it, the minor downside is that it's about a 20 minute drive from my office. But like I said the lady, Stacy, now my landlord was great. After looking at the apartment and deciding to take it we went to her house to fill out all the paper work and then she let me use her phone to make all the phone calls I needed to in order to hook everything up - gas, electric, and internet/cable.
So this afternoon is what really sent me to being driven nuts. I understand directions pretty well, especially when I'm looking at a map. My mother on the other hand has no clue. She doesn't catch on very quickly. So she asks the same questions repeatedly and again and again and again. I think she expects different answers but what I know doesn't change, at least not unless I find out something new between when the questions were asked. This afternoon we figured out 5 different ways I can get from my office to my apartment and they are all about the same distance and amount of time, except when the school buses are taking the crazy little children home. I also bought my bed this afternoon - I'll be sleeping on a queen size air mattress this summer, yay big bed!
Upcoming plans:
- Tomorrow Niagara Falls with my grandma
- Saturday moving into my apartment and sending mom back home
- Sunday and Monday figuring out this place on my own
- Tuesday work
I tried to find a place in East Aurora so that I could ride my bike to work and no have to drive to work because the gas prices are outrageous. Gas here is right around $4/gallon. Unfortunately that was a no go. So I tried to find a place within 10 minutes drive time of my office - nadda. Last night I found a place on craigslist and called the number listed with it. It ended up that mom and I quickly changed out of our pj's and drove about 20 minutes to Holland to look at the place. It was cheap but didn't have a stove or fridge and i would've needed to pay electric, gas, water, garbage and I think there was something else. It was also in a building with 5 other apartments that mostly all had older men in them. So I decided I didn't really want to live there, besides it also smelled really bad and I didn't like the town in was in at all.
I lucked out this morning though. I picked up the Buffalo News and immediately looked in the classifieds. There were about 7 different listing for places somewhat close to work. I called a few and like most of the other people I've talked to about apartments they weren't very nice. Most places wont rent to a college student or a college aged student first off and then if you mention that you're looking for a short term lease your chances of finding a place become even worse. My stipulations for an apartment were the following: I'm college aged, I'm from a completely different state and only know one person in East Aurora, and to top it off I needed a place for only three months.
I then called this number for a place in West Seneca. The lady who answered was incredibly nice. That was amazing to hear someone as nice as she was as compared to just about everyone else. I asked if the 1 bedroom apartment would be available for a three month lease, to which she responded "Of course." So mom and I got in the car and headed on up to West Seneca. The apartment was great. There's lots of light, it has a feeling of safety, there's plenty around it, the minor downside is that it's about a 20 minute drive from my office. But like I said the lady, Stacy, now my landlord was great. After looking at the apartment and deciding to take it we went to her house to fill out all the paper work and then she let me use her phone to make all the phone calls I needed to in order to hook everything up - gas, electric, and internet/cable.
So this afternoon is what really sent me to being driven nuts. I understand directions pretty well, especially when I'm looking at a map. My mother on the other hand has no clue. She doesn't catch on very quickly. So she asks the same questions repeatedly and again and again and again. I think she expects different answers but what I know doesn't change, at least not unless I find out something new between when the questions were asked. This afternoon we figured out 5 different ways I can get from my office to my apartment and they are all about the same distance and amount of time, except when the school buses are taking the crazy little children home. I also bought my bed this afternoon - I'll be sleeping on a queen size air mattress this summer, yay big bed!
Upcoming plans:
- Tomorrow Niagara Falls with my grandma
- Saturday moving into my apartment and sending mom back home
- Sunday and Monday figuring out this place on my own
- Tuesday work
Monday, May 19, 2008
Leaving
In the morning I'll be off on my way to New York, all though there's still that inkling that says it's not real. What is it that's not letting me completely accept, or perhaps comprehend, the fact that I'm going to be spending the summer away from my family, best friends, and the wonderful town of Ames? I've said goodbye to my close friends, cried my way through leaving my wonderful boyfriend, and have my car almost completely packed to the brim. (There's no way I'm going to be able to bring much home with me that I don't take out to NY)
I guess it's only a few short hours now before I'm headed east. I couldn't find my passport tonight, I'll have to settle for only be able to drive into Canada and not flying, I have my birth certificate. I have so much stuff between my parents and the stuff that used to be in my apartment that it's nearly impossible to find anything.I don't have a clue.
That's another thing, my apartment. I spent nearly two years in the same building, primarily in my last apartment. I had to move out today. It's going to be strange coming back to Ames and not going to my apartment. I mean, I'll have another apartment but it just wont be the same.
I guess it's only a few short hours now before I'm headed east. I couldn't find my passport tonight, I'll have to settle for only be able to drive into Canada and not flying, I have my birth certificate. I have so much stuff between my parents and the stuff that used to be in my apartment that it's nearly impossible to find anything.I don't have a clue.
That's another thing, my apartment. I spent nearly two years in the same building, primarily in my last apartment. I had to move out today. It's going to be strange coming back to Ames and not going to my apartment. I mean, I'll have another apartment but it just wont be the same.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Things to Do
As of a couple of days ago I started to make of list of all the things I need to do prior to leaving Ames, things to take with me to Buffalo, and things to do once I get to Buffalo. So far the number one thing to do is to move out of my apartment - it's taking a LONG time, mostly because it's a hard thing to want to do. It's always harder to move out of a place when you've lived there longer. As of this August I would've been in my current apartment for over a year and a half, this building alone would be two years. I love this building (most of the time). I like the location I'm in, although I am looking forward to moving someplace that will be a bit quieter = summerset. Also before I go to Buffalo I have to make sure I'm ready to go to Texas and to Arkansas. But before I should really be thinking of any of that I need to get through finals.
Soil chemistry is going to kick my butt! I may study for days worth and it may or may not make a difference. I'm hoping that it does make a difference. Although all I really need is to pass, I would really like it if I can do better than that in this class. I would really like for it not to drag down my GPA. I want to go to grad school. In fact that's what I spent a lot of my time doing this morning - looking at grad schools, again. Right now my top three schools are Montana State, Kansas, and Iowa State. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and University of Colorado - Denver are also possibilities.
Mostly to take to Buffalo is a list of books. I want to be on my A game this summer with my knowledge of all things soil. And so far it seems as if my office is excited for me to come, I don't want to let them down - especially because they're taking a risk with someone who only really knows about corn and soybeans.
I am going to take my guitar instead of my TV. People are saying that I'm going to be out of the loop not being able to watch the news but I'm one for newspapers though. If there's really anything I want to watch on TV I can most likely watch it on my computer when I get a chance to use the internet.
Can you think of anything I should be taking with me?
As far as things to do in Buffalo - eat Buffalo wings. You can look forward to a post devoted to buffalo wings. The first thing I need to do when I get there is make sure I have an apartment. My supervisor has been amazing with helping me. He's even called some places and taken pictures of places that are very close to my office. I really hope I can afford them. There's an apartment that I like from the outside and am hoping that it looks as nice on the inside and is affordable. I'm putting up a picture of it with this post.
I also want to start taking TaeKwondo classes this summer. I'm scheduled to take taekwondo as a class this fall but I want to be ahead of the game on this as well. Back about 10 years ago I was a green belt. I'd really like to be a black belt someday. I think it would be good to know, and would be a good workout. Perhaps even a good way to get to know people. Along the lines of getting to know people I think I want to check out the Unitarian Universalist Church of East Aurora.
I will take a trip to see Niagra Falls - not like that's a very long trip at all. I'm almost thinking I'll be there twice, once towards the beginning of the summer and once towards the end. I'm also thinking of taking a trip to NYC but I don't really want to go by myself and it's a bit longer trip.
Anything else?
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