Here's hoping all my friends in Seattle are okay. My Mom's not answering the phone...she's probably picking up branches in the backyard. Anyone remember the 1993 Inauguration Day storm? I was in 5th grade, in Ms. Higgins' class. I rode the bus to Briarcrest that morning and actually saw a Douglas fir come down onto somebody's house and garage on the way. I was at school for a few hours, and we could see trees falling outside the window. The power finally went out in the middle of the ceremony (we were all watching it on TV as part of our unit on goverment), and they sent us home in the middle of the day, which was very exciting. There were branches and debris everywhere. The power was out at my house too. Dad and I got the gas stove out of the attic and Mom made us hot chocolate by the light of the propane lantern.
It's been a busy few days. My semester effectively ended last Thursday, with my last class and a final presentation and homework in PopGen. We had a Secret Santa gift exchange in the herbarium on Friday (I got a little fountain), a full-on Herbarium party at Pam's house the next day (I made grilled zuchinni), and then Kim came over on Sunday to hang out. She gave me some lovely ornaments and some green origami dragon earrings (wearing them now), and we watched Happy Feet and The Incredibles.
I'm very much looking forward to going home soon. :)