Winter is definitely here in Arrecife. The humidity has dropped considerably, now hovering around 70% most days. Nights are cool (low 70s) and often windy, necessitating long pants rather than the usual shorts or skirts. Everyone here is in the Christmas mood as well, despite the fact that we're not really expecting much of a White Christmas. Unless you count the sand. I made almond rocca a few days ago and have been distributing it ever since, to positive reviews. Virtually every building and palm tree along the main thoroughfares is encrusted in Christmas lights, giving the whole island a rather cheery feel. Kristal and I don't have a Christmas tree, but we're considering the installation of a Christmas palm frond instead. Kristal was bemoaning our lack of a chimney a few days ago, but I pointed out that since the dryer vents out near the roof, we should just leave the dryer door open on Christmas Eve. Santa will figure it out.
December 11th was my one year anniversary of being on the island, and the 13th was one year working at the Winchester-Swann. To be honest, the event passed rather quietly - I only realized it had been a year when a friend who had been in the same orientation session reminded me. So it's been a year, and I'm happy to report that I still like my job. (How could I not, right?) Still, I've been giving my future plans some thought, and I think I have a working plan at this point. Next summer/fall I'll start applying for grad school, then enroll and attend in fall 2009. A little far away still, I know, but that's what I'm going with. So if you've been wondering how long I'll be down here on the rock, now you know.
Over the past year I've dabbled a bit, on and off, in long-distance running. Admittedly, I was mostly "off" during that time due to work, but I've gotten more serious in the past 6 months or so. Well, today was the first test of all that jogging foolishness. The Winchester-Swann was hosting a 5K "Jingle Bell Run/Walk" to benefit a local charity, so I decided (two days ago) to give it a shot. Well... I did it! I ran the 5K in about 26 minutes. That estimate is within 30 seconds of my actual finish time, but as it was a fun run there was no official timer shouting out finish times, and I forgot to time it on my own watch. Talk about your newbie mistakes... Still, there were quite a few friends from work there, and it was definitely an educational experience. And considering I was expecting a finish time in the neighborhood of 30 minutes - possibly as much as 35 - I am very happy with my results. There are a few more races coming up in the next few months, so I may be posting more times up here soon enough.
An Indignant Letter to the Editor
Looks like Monterey Bay Kayaks is back on the chopping block. The City of Monterey thinks the best image we can present to tourists is one of manicured lawns and paved parking lots, rather than giving visitors and residents the opportunity to go check out the ocean for themselves. Mom sent along this article to me, so since I had nothing better to do on my Monday night, I proceeded to write a rather lengthy diatribe about conservation, environmental responsibility, and how the City Planners are a bunch of ninnies. Then I saw that there is a 200 word limit on Letters to the Editor. So what follows below is the vastly abbreviated version. Enjoy, and feel free to weigh in either here or on the Herald's website.
Considering the benefits businesses such as Monterey Bay Kayaks provide to our community, razing the Catellus buildings outright seems a little foolhardy. The business owners have stated that they wish to improve their facilities, so let’s grant their requests for long-term leases that would protect these costly investments.
Don’t get me wrong – lawns and parking lots are nice, but how much impact will they have on visitors’ experiences? Will tourists pine for open stretches of beachside landscaping, or will they remember that time they paddled through the canopy of a magnificent kelp forest, had close encounters with strange and beautiful creatures from the sea, and got to truly experience the natural beauty that brings so many tourists – and their dollars – back year after year?
Monterey Bay Kayaks has been providing just such an opportunity to our city’s guests and residents for well over two decades. Their commitment to environmental stewardship, accessibility, and education has been recognized by organizations nationwide, and they even provide one of the few beach wheelchairs available in the county. If the City’s plan is a supposed Window on the Bay, then Monterey Bay Kayaks has proven itself a true Gateway to the Bay.
Also, the City Planners are ninnies.
Andrea
Monterey
Considering the benefits businesses such as Monterey Bay Kayaks provide to our community, razing the Catellus buildings outright seems a little foolhardy. The business owners have stated that they wish to improve their facilities, so let’s grant their requests for long-term leases that would protect these costly investments.
Don’t get me wrong – lawns and parking lots are nice, but how much impact will they have on visitors’ experiences? Will tourists pine for open stretches of beachside landscaping, or will they remember that time they paddled through the canopy of a magnificent kelp forest, had close encounters with strange and beautiful creatures from the sea, and got to truly experience the natural beauty that brings so many tourists – and their dollars – back year after year?
Monterey Bay Kayaks has been providing just such an opportunity to our city’s guests and residents for well over two decades. Their commitment to environmental stewardship, accessibility, and education has been recognized by organizations nationwide, and they even provide one of the few beach wheelchairs available in the county. If the City’s plan is a supposed Window on the Bay, then Monterey Bay Kayaks has proven itself a true Gateway to the Bay.
Also, the City Planners are ninnies.
Andrea
Monterey
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