Just a Dirty Hippie

This weekend, I went on a field trip for my Advanced Biology class. It was wonderful, and I think I am the only person, other than our teacher who thought that. We went on Sunday, up to the University of Michigan Biological Station in Pellston, MI. It was in the middle of the woods, with no civilization to be found. We stayed in the camp dormitory, which was surprisingly clean...at least I thought it was clean. I would have been happy staying in tents :)

I laughed at myself while everyone moved into our rooms. I had a backpack and a sleeping bag with me while everyone else was carrying a backpack, a dufflebag, blankets, a sleeping bag, and pillows. I felt a little under prepared. Then I opened my backpack. This thing is amazing, as it essentially carries my whole life and then some. I carried it all summer through the numerous camping experiences I was on, and it has gained a high level of respect. I like to think of it as my version of Mary Poppin's carpet bag. There are fingernail clippers, a hand towel, a rain jacket, an umbrella, a 64 pack of Crayola crayons, a garbage bag, several Sharpie markers, a pair of flippy-floppies, a plastic snake, a random pair of socks, bandaids, a meal bar, hand sanitizer, a flash light and a water bottle that always stay in my bag. WOW! I didn't think there was that much in there, but that is a huge list.....and I've never been a girl scout!

On Monday, we went to 4 different wetland ecosystems to collect water samples and perform various water chemistry tests. It was nice a chilly, which was good for keeping us awake considering the lack of sleep Sunday night. The most interesting site we went to was the bog. Bog. What a boring word. Only three letters and it sounds like a strange bodily sound. But to me...yes, a total nerd...it was so cool! The classification of a bog means that it is a layer of sphagnum moss over about 40 feet of water in the middle of the woods. You can walk out onto the moss mat, because it is super thick and squishy. The cool part is that the mat floats, so you feel like you are walking on a giant water bed. And again, I am probably the only one who was excited about this.

So yes, I enjoyed being dirty hippie nerd for a couple days. It has to happen every once in awhile, just to remind me that sometimes simple is better and that a little dirt never killed anyone.

.....and I didn't shower right away when I got home, because I thought the smell from the marsh that had invaded my pores actually smelled good.

Some Useful Tips

Here are a couple tips I learned today:
1. Always keep some oatmeal in your kitchen. It is cheep, quick to cook up for some warm breakfast, and is useful in quite a few bakery items.

For instance, in this pie I made up today:

Kami's Caramel Streusel Apple Pie
crust
1 1/4 C flour
1 T sugar
1/2 t salt
1 stick butter, chilled unsalted (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
3 T (or more) chilled water
*combine ingredients (except water) in a food processor until crumbly, then add water one tablespoon at a time until pastry clumps together, but isn't moist
*gather pastry and flatten into a small disk. Freeze for 20 minutes (or days or months if need be). When ready to go, make sure it is soft enough to roll but not mushy.

filling
10 C apples (peeled and thinly sliced)
1/2 C white sugar
3/4 C brown sugar
1 1/2 t cinnamon
1 1/2 t vanilla
1/4 t nutmeg
1 1/2 T lemon juice
2 T melted butter
* mix and let sit 15 minutes
add 1/4 C flour

topping
1/2 C whole wheat flour
1/2 C rolled oats
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 stick melted butter
* mix and sprinkle over the pie

*bake at 400 F, for about 90 minutes.




2. Carefully hold onto the bag of sugar as you are putting it into the cupboard. If you don't, it may come crashing down to the floor and the millions of little white granules will spray across the expanse of your kitchen. Then you have to clean it up. This is a hypothetical situation of course.....

3. This guy knows what is going on. http://rulesformyunbornson.tumblr.com/

Here We Go

Why blog? Why not. Well, it is really because my best friend recently started a blog (genuinelyjennifer.blogspot.com), so I figured why not. I used to have a blog...in 6th grade. I honestly don't know what I wrote about, because now, having a 12 year old sister, I am of the opinion that middle schoolers have very little to contribute to anything. That sounds harsh. Maybe too harsh; or maybe it is deserved because we can all remember what it was like.

Tonight was the last home football game of my high school life. That is a little overwhelming to think about. I've been immersed in the culture that is the American high school for a solid 3 years, and now, being a senior, I am experiencing my "last" of these traditions. This is going to be a good year though. I am convinced that I will have fun; no matter what is in store for the coming months. I'll relish in the traditions of Midland High, rebel against some established norms, and maybe institute some new shenanigans.

Meanwhile, I'll keep you posted on the entertainment I find in everyday high school life, the thoughts that I enjoy rambling about, and the dreams I have for the future of our generation. Let's see what happens.