eeek!

My new job is great.  However, I feel like I have no idea what I am doing sometimes.  It seems like everyday I am given a new project, a new task, something more to take on.  I was told the other day that if the money is found I get to have a research assistant.

Boss: "Have you ever hired anyone before Kate?"

Kate: "uhh nope."

Boss:  "Its easy, you just have to write the job description, go through all the applications, pick your top candidates, come up with your interview questions, do the phone interviews, pick your top candidates, have them come to Florida, do another interview, be their supervisor, and save the world"

Kate: "umm ok"

Boss: "Don't worry it won't take up too much of your time..."

I have 1 million projects that have been put under me since I've started.  I am  however proud of myself for being organized and staying on top of things. But this also means I have 1 million new file folders sitting on my desk.

I have had to learn the new lingo and to try and understand the archaeologists' jargon.

"Don't forget about the SFS.  You'll have to add it to the APR and then make sure that you have the GPS and GIS readings and put it into the file folder that deals with the BIA and STOF."

I feel like this squirrel, hanging on for dear life, hoping I don't mess up and that everyone is secretly wondering why they hired me.

I'll just keep on taking one day at a time. And until I get everything under control I'll just keep nodding my head and keep looking forward. 

I love Fall

This is my favorite time of year.  I am missing the fall colors, the smells, and the crisp air in the mornings.  I have so many distinct memories from when I was younger that revolve around this beautiful time of year.  Playing in the leaves, sitting outside in the sun on a warm afternoon, and eating fall foods like pumpkin cookies and drinking apple cider.  Because there seems to be a lack of this season down here in the sunshine state I have gotten out my only solution to surround myself with that "fallish" feeling.

My Pumpkin Candle!  I have had it lit all day and it smells just like fall.  My mom always burns one this time of year and it has helped me feel a little less homesick and made it feel like a beautfiul fall day.  That is until I looked out the front window at the palm tree...

Ever Amazing Everglades

I work for the Seminole Tribe of Florida in the Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO).  I am their Collection Manager for the archaeological collections.  So far I love my job.  Although at times it has been high stress, learning the ropes and trying to understand what in the world is going on, I feel that I am finally settling in to a routine and remembering everyone's name.  My work is located in the heart of the Everglades which means a commute of 1 hour and 15 minutes to and from my house.  The early morning drive has been quite enjoyable, watching the sunrise and the fog rise over the swamp.

                                                                                           

This is the time when I usually see the alligators slowly drifting with their heads barely above the water. The most I've counted in one drive is 6, but I've heard you can see as many as 200 during the summer!

On the drive I also get to enjoy seeing many different types of birds.  The white herons perch on the bushes and skinny branches and are often standing on the side of the road.  The Ahinga sits in the branches with its wings spread, and the first time I saw one I thought it was a giant bat.  Today on the way home from work we looked to the side of the road and for about 5 miles thousands of birds were in the air, looking for mosquitoes and bugs for dinner. 

One day at work, one of the museum workers came in to tell us a turtle was about to lay eggs in front of the building!  We ran out to find her digging her two holes.  Because one of her legs had been injured she was using only her left leg to dig both holes.  We stood and watched for about 20 minutes and then she started laying her eggs.  There were about 10 eggs total.  Once she was finished she began to bury them, keeping them warm and to hide them from raccoons and other predators.  Hopefully I'll be at work when they hatch!

I'll continue to keep my eyes open for new and exotic animals!  It is still a shock to see an alligator.  I always think I am looking at a dinasour taking a morning float down the river.  I have yet to see the panthers, bobcats, and bears but hopefully when I do they are just as scared of me as I am of them!  I did have a dead frog fall out of the umbrella at the lunch table next to my yougurt the other day, reminding me of just how weird of a place Florida really is.