Odd Places

I made a friend in a transexual today. There's this girl who works in another field office who most people in the agency don't get along with very well because they're not sure about how to act around her. I was the same way at first. Today I went to our Soil Science training day with the idea that I wouldn't get along with this girl because of who she is - that's the reaction that had been instilled in my brain over the course of the summer. I couldn't have been more wrong.

This girl was AWESOME! She's so much like me, except for the fact that I have no plans in changing my gender. It was really neat to hang out with her and get to know her. Remember what you see isn't always what you get.

Other random thing - on the way to the training today I saw a sign for a place that combines two of my interests. Archery and Quilting. Rather odd combination, huh?

Some Reflecting

I've been meaning to write for some time now. Unfortunately I've been either too busy or too tired but now I have some time (although I should probably get my dishes done sometime in the near future). This past week I went to a conference about Warm Season Grasses (anyone know what I'm talking about? free beer to the person who can tell me three facts about WSGs) and although I learned quite a bit I also had some time during some presentations that I let my mind just wander.

There are a few things I will miss about NY but homesickness and carsickness certainly aren't included. I like seeing the mountains, being in the mountains and being able to see miles and miles, to Lake Ontario and if it's clear on to Canada, especially when I'm out and about in rural NY on my way to or from a construction site of a manure storage lagoon. There are, however, some upsides to going to some of the constructions sites - like the main one I've been going to the last couple weeks has been working on pouring a concrete lagoon that measures 100 ft X 75 ft X 12 ft (it's massive) and there have luckily been some good sites to see if you know what I mean. ;) . So even though there have been times I have absolutely hated my job and have wanted nothing more than to go home I think I will miss my job.

Although I don't exactly want to apply everything I've learned this summer to possible future careers it'll be good information to have as a background and will hopefully give me a boost when it comes to getting hired somewhere.

Outside of work, I've learned that rural Iowa still has a lot to offer and that's where I always want to call home. I miss seeing green when I look out my window, what's practically a junkyard along with lots of concrete just isn't the same. Concrete just doesn't do it for me - Give me a corn field.

One thing I think is interesting about the Buffalo area is how poorly it seems to be shifting from a big booming port city to a city of today's technology. There are some incredible old buildings that would look absolutely amazing and would perhaps draw people to them if only they were given a little attention. There are so many places that are incredibly trashy or abandoned entirely. I know there are places like that in Iowa too but there are just so many of them here.