So I have been getting bugged to get with it and update this blog of mine...sorry I've been such a slacker lately!
First of all, here are the 2 picture albums I've posted so far:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2062173&l=d4a86&id=15301311

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2060923&l=e5c3b&id=15301311

And now I'll try my very best to update you all on the past month or so of my life :)

My IP in Chatham
Individual placements (IP's) started Oct. 7. I have been making the 45 minute commute to the more "upper class" region of Cape Cod every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. So far I haven't been doing much with the conservation commission--in part because I'm still quite ill-informed on the ongoings of land management, but also because I have been focusing instead on planning an event with the Chatham Recyles group. I definitely do enjoy planning things...I think it's the brainstormer/dreamer in me :) It's when it gets very real (like going to grad school) that it isn't quite as fun anymore. But if you're interested in seeing a little bit of what I've been planning, check out these websites and look for information about America Recycles or Swap & Drop:

http://chathamrecycles.org/

http://www.nrc-recycle.org/ma.aspx

Eww, gross thing that happened yesterday: I visited a town property to check it out and update the database. I was only out for about 20 minutes (it was rather chilly and not a very big area), and I wasn't even walking through any tall grasses or brush, but when I got back in the car I found FOUR ticks crawling around on my pants! So I was officially freaked out and pulled over on the side of the road to flick them off of me. I told me service partner when I got back and she very casually said, "yeah, they're really active this time of year. " Just great. But no worries, I haven't found any others yet. And I still have managed to avoid the poisen ivy :)

Oyster Fest

Last weekend I got to experience my first slight taste of what summer traffic will be like. I wouldn't be surprised if my commute time doubles in the summer months...it's pretty ridiculous. Wellfleet's permanent population is about 2,500...and during Oyster Fest it skyrocketed to about 15,000. Crazy! I went both Saturday and Sunday to peruse the various crafty/creative stalls lining the streets. Vendors were from all over selling there wares (well, all over meaning from throughout the cape, Martha's Vineyard and other little islands). Wellfleet's main street was PACKED and you just kinda wedged yourself into the traffic and went with the flow. There was also quite a bit of delicious food...mmm. And of course multitudes of oysters, in every form imaginable. There was even oyster beer (I stayed far away from that). We watched an oyster-shucking contest, supported some fellow housemates on the 5K run, and listened/swayed to a blue grass band. Overall it was a lot of fun.

House Life

This past Wednesday was my turn to cook house dinner. I was partnered with our "house mom" (she hates that term, but I don't know how else to word it) and we concocted a lovely Polish meal :) We made stuffed cabbage, cabbage and noodles, perogies, cooked carrots, and rolls. And there was enough food to feed an extra house.
I am still trying to get used to my room/hallway. It's tricky sleeping in a place that people use a their thouroughfare. But it is nice to have some space, which is something not everyone has.
I finally got my foodstamps! I had to drive down to the office in Hyannis (an extra 30 minutes past my IP), but it will most definitely be worth it. Since they never mailed it to me, I have $320 built up on it! Crazy amazing :)
The weekends have been fun times to hang out with various housemates. Some nights we go out to explore cape night life, and other nights we all stay in to relax and watch a movie. I've been on quite a few hikes and beach outings...I even got to fly my kite (even if it wasn't incredibly successful)!

Well, that's a bit of an update. Let me know if you want to know more about anything in particular. This weekend I'm rising early to help out with the fin-fish study, and I think I'll also be volunteering to build a new playground going up in the town next door (they're having a week long playground build with volunteers). So hopefully we'll get some good fall weather before the cold takes over :)
I hope everyone is doing well! I'll try to be better and update again soon...take care until then!