A quick hello

Hi everyone! I'm sorry I've been so remiss with blog-writing recently. I've been working on an NSF grant proposal (due on the 6th AHH), and studying for the GRE biology test on the 7th and the GRE general exam on the 9th. So, you may not hear much from me until after that's all done with. But I just wanted to let everyone know that all is well! AND: I will be in town from Nov 1ish to Nov 13ish, so if you want to talk via phone or skype, email me to set up a time! I'd be so so happy to hear from each and every one of you!

And now, a few quick highlights and photos from the last month:

Every two weeks, Sarah and I have been teaching "Sabado Scientifico" (Science Saturday) classes for the kids in Boca Amigo, a tiny mining village across the river. We teach a class every other week, and class location alternates between the village schoolhouse and the field station. It's so much fun to walk through town, gathering a small following of children as we go. Here are Sarah and I in Boca Amigo with our mob of kids (and monkey). (photo stolen from Sarah)






Sarah also captured me and the monkey sharing the exact same facial expression.











The kids love it when we pick them up in our boat and ferry them across the river to CICRA.

So far, we've taught lessons on the interdependence between species ("what would happen if all the frogs went extinct?"), medicinal rainforest plants, plant physiology, and mimicry and defence. We organized a scavenger hunt for the last one-- the kids had to go out and find packs of cookies which we had disguised as walking leaf bugs, turtles, coral snakes, and other critters.




Talking about teeth as a defense mechanism.











Hunting for camouflaged cookies. Can *you* find the frog, the coral snake, and the turtle? (Hint: respectively, they are made of dead leaves, construction paper, and cupcake wrappers plus and a spoon.)














ALSO ALSO: Megan and Antonio came to visit CICRA! It was so wonderful to see them! They spoiled me rotten, bringing highly coveted items like chocolate, honey-scented soap, and fresh mangos! AND a whole duffle bag full of tree-climbing equipment for a study on the effect of ants on the pollination of flowers in the canopy. Best Christmas I ever had. I was so excited I think they were worried I'd lost my marbles. Here are me and Sarah learning the ropes (literally!)