Ashley

Procession

2008-04-30T00:17:27Z

My favorite time has come and gone, and this year it was fabulous! I have written about this before in earlier blogs, but procession of the species is really a two day celebration of the coming of spring, earth day, and celebration of community. It was started about 15ish years ago, again, as a means of bringing community together, and every year it seems to grow and grow. This year, I invited my parents to come see the spectacle. As we sat on a wool blanket, on the sidewalk, we watched hundreds of people walk, roll, dance and skip by dressed as all sorts of animals, plants and various other species of flora and fauna.
The parade itself is an amazing feat, and you can tell by the costumes, music and dancing that preparation for this day took quite some time, and a large community effort. This kind of close interaction with the community is something I really love about Olympia. If we all have to live in this large metropolitan area as strangers, we should all be strangers together!
Here is a link to the Procession website, take a look at pictures from previous years!
http://www.procession.org/

Can't worm my way out of this one. Ha.

2008-04-25T07:29:56Z

I love my new program, Invertebrate Zoology and evolution, and generally find it very interesting and exciting. This week however, we are doing a unit on worms, and I am beginning to see how squeamish I have become. The worms we are have been studying this week are marine flat worms, round worms, ribbon worms, segmented worms and the other lovelies such a tapeworms and nematodes.
This week, we ventured to the Evergreen beach to find some worms to dissect. We flipped over rocks and dug in the sand to find our specimens, which we then took back to the lab, humanely killed, and then dissected. It was really interesting to see innards of the worm and learn more about their internal anatomy, however, I felt myself getting slightly nauseous.

Although they made me feel a bit ill, worms are still fabulous critters. We learned today that during their evolution, many of them burrowed, aerating the soil, and composting the soil (as they do today) which released gasses and (the theory states) causing the earth to have an atmospheric component (much like global warming), which then caused the earth to never relapse into another ice age, and making all life here now possible. Amazing!

On Board

2008-04-23T05:32:20Z

This week we had an awesome opportunity to go out on a boat, in the Puget Sound to do some invertebrate collecting ourselves. Our boat left from Boston Harbor Marina at about 9am, and trolled the water for a few hours, picking up all kinds of benthic sea life.

This was my first time being out on a boat on the sound (besides kayaking), and I absolutely loved it. Besides actually being able to participate in the collection, we were able to relax for a while, while the nets were collecting, which gave me a good chance to soak in the surroundings. While waiting we saw various species of waterfowl as well as some curious seals, popping their heads out of the water.

When we finally drug up the nets, we found crabs, sea pens, fish, and hundred of jellies. On one particular troll we brought up about 150 sea slugs! It was quite the sight to see them all moving and swimming together in a massive heap. What an experience! I asked our professor if we could keep them all; he laughed and said sorrily, no.

Later that afternoon we returned to the marina and drove back to school to place our new friends in the tanks. The boat was an awesome experience, and that alone, would make any marine program that Evergreen has to offer worthwhile!

Spring Quarter

2008-04-23T05:31:36Z

Whoa-
What an insanely busy few weeks it has been! I have definitely taken my time getting re-adjusted to the US and the rainy/sunny/snowy/windy/freezing/warm Pacific Northwest. Currently, I am enrolled in a program called Invertebrate Zoology and Evolution, and it has been great so far.
Here’s the description:

Most of our time is spent in a lab setting, learning about marine invertebrates and learning how to use a Scanning Electron Microscope, and Auto Montage Scope and a Zeiss Scope. Our classroom sits on the 3rd floor of the lab building and has multiple tanks filled with all kinds of critters from the Puget Sound. We have Jellies, Sea Anemones, Crabs, Sea Slugs, and will be collecting more throughout the quarter. I am looking forward to a change in pace. Recently, I have been studying vertebrates, so the inverts are a completely new thing to me, but that’s a good thing!

Letters from China- Xi'an

2008-04-07T07:16:14Z

Hello from Xi’an!
Again, still shocked that I am actually in China! We are now in the city of Xi’an, a smaller city than Bejing—about 10 million less, but still huge none the less. The air pollution here is much worse than Beijing’s: but they don’t have the Olympics to prepare for! Nevertheless our group seems to be enjoying the sites and sounds of the city. We are staying at a Normal University here, in the international dorm building. It’s a very nice building, and the rooms look just like a hotel, except the bed…it’s HARD. Really really hard—it’s been difficult to get used to.
While we have been here we have done a myriad of things; going to night clubs, museums and the Terra Cotta Warriors! But my favorite thing was our visit out into the country side. Rural China is something to behold. We went about an hour out of the city, to a small town at the base of the mountains. Upon arriving, people gathered around us while we were taking a tour of the temple; staring and taking pictures of us. I gather they haven’t seen many westerners before.
The countryside is a beautiful place. Dirt roads, old houses, flowers, crops, children playing, and chicken and goats roaming free. The people there were all friendly (as most people in China seem to be), and were very kind to us.
During our time there, we walked to another temple—a Christian pagoda, converted Buddhist temple, and on the way some people rode horses. The Pagoda was stunning, and kept by a monk who sat and chatted with us for a while about his life, keeping the temple and informing people about his religion. It was a very peaceful experience.
Soon after that, we left again for the city, and found ourselves that evening in a night club called 1+1…an interesting experience as well, and an stark contrast from our countryside visit earlier that day.
Terracotta Warrior

Pagoda at Temple outside of Xi'an

Country Home

Monk who talked to us in countryside

Letters From China- Beijing

2008-04-07T07:09:50Z

Hello from Beijing!
I can't believe we are in China! It is sooo crazy here...not really culture shocked quite yet, just alot of surprises. Just to name a few: squatting toilets, chicken foot in our food, everybody smokes, crazzzy crazy drivers (they won't stop for you, so you must RUN across the street), and I am also very surprised at how at home I feel in China.
Yesterday we visited the forbidden city, Tie an men Square and a Confucius temple. I was astounded at the size of Forbidden city! It is huge! My favorite part was the gardens at the North gate (I will show pictures later). The Confucius temple was so peaceful, it is said to be one of the only places in the city where you can hear birds sing; and we did. I have been seeing so many birds that I know the family name of, but I am not quite sure of the species name, so I am hoping to find a birding guide book tomorrow.
Today we went to temple of Heaven. The temple itself was very beautiful, but the people around it we even more beautiful. The park around the temple was filled with retirees playing games, dancing, playing music, singing, painting...it was excellent. I even got to hold someone’s bird (I think it is a cross bill!), and had someone teach me one of the dancing games.
After lunch we went to the Great Wall of China! Although it was really quite smoky/smogy, the views from the first tower were incredible. I decided to stop at the first tower with my new friend/roomate Janice, but a few people went ahead; they made it quite far. The steps are what killed me...there are hundreds and hundreds of steps, and they are all about a foot tall. Good work out!
After the great wall we ventured to the children’s orphanage where we watched a performance by the children. The orphanage is not a school itself, but it does teach the children performing arts because many of them are from the country side and will not have the educational skills to continue later in life, so performing arts will be their back up. I will explain this more later. It was good to visit with the kids, they are all happy, healthy children and the enjoyed having us there, showing us their rooms, the kitchen, their friends, and sharing a meal.
Next we were on to Xi’an.
Man sitting outside a shop in Beijing

The Great Wall

Kids at the Orphanage performing for our group

Future Greeners, Be Not Afraid!

2008-03-05T22:07:34Z

Future Greeners: Do not be afraid to talk to professors!

For next quarter I was looking into taking Invertebrate Evolution and noted that the syllabus for the program said “Students must show up on time to the first class period on March 30th or they will be dropped from the program”. Oh crap! I thought, I get back from my trip Tuesday the 11th.…so I would miss the first day all together.

I was at first admittedly afraid, and didn’t know what to do. I had my eye on this program, and was ready to try something new (which would definitely be invertebrate zoology), but the future did not look good. So, I thought I would just try e-mailing the professor; this was a good idea! After explaining my situation, my new found love for invertebrates, and the intention to bring my jet-lagged butt to class the next morning. He wrote back almost immediately, and said he would be able to accommodate me and said although I will need to catch up from the first day, I can attend class the next afternoon and then wished me to have a good time in China!

This was not the response I was expecting given his syllabus, but I am really happy I e-mailed him to find out for sure. This is an excellent example of why you should not be afraid to contact your Profs, so do it to it Greeners!

Leaving the Nest

2008-03-05T21:44:45Z

Spring quarter is wrapping up quickly, and in 6 days I will be off to China!!! Nevertheless, there is still a lot to do. Luckily, most of my school work has been turned in. I just have my final paper on Cuttlefish Coloration to turn in, as well as give a presentation on it, the Monday before I take off.
Also, this weekend my parents are coming to visit before our trip, and they will be helping me prepare to pack as well as take me shopping for stuff I will need, and will take us to the airport, which is super nice of them. Although this weekend is going to be hectic with parents and preparing to give a 12 minute presentation on cuttlefish, I hope to get some fun activities in.
Kyaking is on our list, as well as looking at Conures at petco. I don’t think I have mentioned this yet…although you may have caught on; I am a huge fan of most things bird. I even own a bird, his name is Steve (named after the late Steve Erwin), and he is the best parakeet ever.
Here is a video of him singing to Red Hot Chili Peppers!

On my many expeditions to Petco to get him toys, bird food and bird stuff I stumbled upon these adorable birds called Conures. They are a larger parrot, though not huge like a MaCaw, and have the best/funniest personalities. I am looking into buying a Green Cheek Conure (from a breeder of course, buying birds from any large pet store is generally not a good idea)

and wanted to show my parents what they are like, because on expeditions like this one I am about to take, they will have to take care of it. They have taken care of Steve for a few weeks before and fell madly in love with him, so Conures, being the personal birds they are, will I’m sure, woo my parents just as easily, and additionally are supposed to get along with other birds just as well.
So that’s my bird spiel… I look forward to having my parents here, and look forward to boarding that plane to China!

Much To Do About Everything

2008-02-27T02:47:07Z

The end of the quarter is wrapping up quickly, yet there are so many things left to do. It is currently February 26th, and in 15 days I leave for china. In those 15 days there is a lot to accomplish. I shall list it all here:

Two tests
- Evolutionary Biology
- Linguistics
Final Paper
- Four more pages to go!
Two seminar books to read
- also two papers on these books to write

and finally, a presentation on cuttlefish communication, which I will be giving the day before I leave. Talk about hectic! Oh and also have to write my self eval and pack for china!

Holy cow… although these next few weeks are going to be insane, I try not to complain because I realize that I actually have the opportunity to be in school, when so many don’t. So, I guess I will look forward to keeping busy, and look forward to being done as well!

The Warmth II

2008-02-22T06:55:35Z

Could it be possible that spring has actually come to Olympia? Although it is still about a week and a half away, I am seeing signs everywhere. This weekend I took a drive and found that even though it was 45 degrees out, it was sunny and every car I passed had their window rolled down. This is a perfect example of North Westerners come spring time. People on campus have started wearing shorts and flipflops, and have been seen laying out on the wet, cold grass on blankets, and standing, facing the sun to soak up the vitamin D. It’s really quite the site, but I love it and I appreciate it’s uniqueness.

Also, this weekend I went down town for lunch, and afterwards walked along the inlet boardwalk. There were so many people out with their children and walking their dogs and just enjoying the weather. It was beautiful!

Here are some pictures I took of crocus, boats and the inlet on my springish outing.

Crocus!

The Capitol and some boats

Artsy pictures of boats at the marina

An picture of the inlet with a fancy sailboat and mountains…it was a little smoggy out that day [This isn’t typical!].

Another picture of the inlet, more mountains! I think this is the Olympic Mountain range, but it could also be the Cascades.

The Warmth

2008-02-13T22:05:42Z

About this time every year I get excited for spring. I am aware that it is mid February, however occasionally we will get these warm breezes, that smell and feel like spring time. Winter time in Olympia can sometimes be tough. Everywhere the sun starts to set earlier and the rain clouds come rolling in. That’s why on days like today where the sun is shining and the weather is warm, I reminisce about spring time in Olympia; even if it is premature.
Spring time in Olympia is amazingly beautiful! There are hundreds of cherry trees in our city that bloom every year with brilliant whites and pink blossoms. Although their blooms don’t last very long, the petals seem to stick around for the summer. After the blossoms fade, it’s onto the wildflowers. Oranges, reds, yellows and purples fill the city and the Evergreen Parkway. And finally, the leaves on the trees come back and the pacific tree frogs start to sing.

Spring also brings a variety of festivals and parades to the city. Just to name a few:

Procession of the species- a belated earth day parade, where Olympians dress as animals and flowers and parade downtown to welcome the spring. Some of the costumes are quite elaborate (as you see below)

http://www.procession.org/

Arts Walk- Local artists display their art downtown in the cafés and coffee shops.

The Dragon Boat festival:
Boat races in Capitol Lake, downtown Oly.

Additionally, spring time brings the re-opening of farmers market downtown, where you can buy local produce, eat local baked goods (so good) and visit and make friends with other Olympians!

Lock-o-Love

2008-02-09T02:44:25Z

This week has been hectic! Yet somehow, in the midst of it all I managed to find time to lose 11 inches of hair. No, I didn’t pull out (amazingly enough), I had someone chop it off! I have been growing out my hair for the past few years and finally I decided enough was enough. So, I went to a really nice salon downtown and had a man named Randy with delicate hands and a fine sense of humor, remove the mess of curls and knots that had inhabiting my head.

However, although this was a healthy move for me (I’m not sure how much longer I could have taken it, curls are hard to keep tame in this humid environment), it was also something that will help someone else. I donated the rest of my hair to locks of love, an organization that collects donated hair to make wigs for those (primarily children), who are either going through chemo treatment for cancer, or who have alopecia, a disease that impedes hair growth.

The hair I sent in will be washed, probably dyed and fashioned into a nice wig for a person who deserves my hair much more than I did, because I treated it like crap. It feels good to be free, but alternatively feels even better to give!

Below: Some before & after pics!

Before: Straightened; not such a mess

After: Voila!

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The Great Outdoors

2008-02-05T05:36:08Z

If you are a fan of wildlife and the outdoors, Olympia and the South Puget Sound in general is a great place to live. From Olympia you are only about half an hour-three hours away from the coast (depending on which part you want to go to),

minutes away from the Bud and Eld inlets where you can see all kind of sea invertebrate and vertebrate life, about an hour away from great hiking in the Olympics,

two hours from the Cascades and about three hours to the North Cascade mountain range
.
Additionally, this area is full of amazing wildlife including pacific tree frogs, a variety of salamanders and newts, marine wildlife (seals, otters, etc.) and amazing birds. Here is a picture of a Northern Flicker I took the other day—he was just outside my window digging around in the dirt.

I really love living in this area because of all the outdoor adventures available to me, just to name a few: Hiking, Biking, Kayaking, Birding, Skiing, Camping…the list is almost endless. Right now I am awaiting the spring to get out again, but when it comes I plan to visit the Hoh Rainforest (possibly the most amaing place on the planet—only 3 hours away)

and return to the ocean in a Kayak (which you can rent downtown or at Boston Harbor for about 15 an hour)
.

Lunar New Year Concert

2008-01-29T00:02:52Z

This weekend my two friends and I went to see the winter Lunar New Years Concert. It was amazing! Hosted by Evergreen Professor Hirsh Diamant and some of his students from the program Children and Education; a Silk Roads Perspective, the concert featured many amazing talents.
There were a number of dancers, who performed native dances from all areas of China, as well as some Orisi (or-ee-see) dancers from Evergreen, who performed animal dances and whose exceptional dancing abilities portrayed perfectly the animal which they were imitating.
There were also a few musicians who performed and plucked these harp-like instruments called zhengs,

...

]]> and there was another type of harp like instrument called the Yangqin

that were struck with mallets. Both of these made amazing sounds, but my favorite musical instrument played that day was the Zhong Hu.

This instrument made possibly the most beautiful sound I have ever heard; it sounded like a human voice, and seemed capable of making 20 different sounds at once.
If you become a student at Evergreen, I highly suggest you attend this concert. It is free to those who have Evergreen I.D.s and is a great source of entertainment and is an excellent chance to immerse your self in a different culture!

Baboon Metaphysics

2008-01-24T20:10:23Z

Currently in class we are reading a book called Baboon Metaphysics… it is an awesome book that gives great detail about Baboon social life and other baboon behaviors. Today in class we had a discussion about the similarities between Baboons and humans. It’s really amazing how much in common we humans share with these animals, even though in evolutionary terms we are fairly distantly related. Some of the aspects of behavior we discussed were ranking or hierarchies amongst baboons and how it relates to human life with social class....

]]> Additionally, male and female behavior in baboons is similar to stereotypes (and some realities) we have in our culture, where men are the aggressors, and the women are less aggressive and deal with social situations precariously, forming alliances and “thinking things through” (again, I did say these are stereotypical behaviors).
Anyways, I think it was just a really good discussion, and I enjoyed hearing everyone’s thoughts on the matter, because many people in my class are coming from different backgrounds (whether they be religious or otherwise), and had many good views to offer.
This is one of the things I look forward to most during the school year. Professors here are very intelligent and inspiring, however, I always appreciate hearing thoughts from 50 different minds, it adds diversity to the conversation and invigorates the mind!