Thursday, September 3

I Think I Scare Away The Storms

Tropical Storm Erika has brought us a beautifully purple, pink, and rose colored sunset with a nice cool breeze. I'm anxious to see if my cistern will actually fill up with any rain from this incoming storm. I think we could use another 10 feet or so of water in the cistern to fill it up, so bring on the rain (just a little).

Almost the last day at the office! I prepared my final report and presented the sum of my internship to the Superintendent today. It has been a very wonderful experience and I am most happy to have had this great opportunity. Who can deny that spending 12 weeks in the Virgin Islands is a great way to spend 12 weeks? It was great to review my outputs and other items that came up during the internship and discuss future opportunities. I still haven't completely ironed out what the next steps are for me, but I'm eager for the next adventure.

Weather in Virginia is quite beautiful this week, I hear. I'm excited to come home to fall-ish temperatures and maybe even see a few leaves change colors. The cooler months are going to be upon us, back in Virginia, very shortly. I am excited to do some rock climbing outside and enjoy the smooth and cool rock. I wonder if putting on my climbing shoes (they're 3 sizes smaller than street shoe size) will hurt all over again. They never did stop hurting before I came down here, but I was at least used to the pain of a well fitted climbing shoe. I hope I'm not wimpy when I slide them back on. Admittedly, I did put them on a few times down here when I got rock-sick (like homesick, but for climbing), but it was only ever for a few minutes.

Mom is nearly here. As her arrival nears, our conversations become more closely spaced. All is in order for Mom to start enjoying St. John and all that makes it known as Love City. There are quite a few places in town and across the island that have closed for a few months (we're almost in the peak of off-season), but there are still plenty of great spots that will be ready to accept our happy faces.

I think tomorrow I will make my rounds and say my goodbyes across the park. It is really strange that these three months are truly over, so soon. I felt like I was really making a home for myself here the whole time. Knowing my flights home are in less than a week, I'm almost nervous. I had a great conversation with Becca about coming home and she does know me well. She already has the notion that I'm plotting the next adventure, before the current one is even over. I'll likely get home, love it, enjoy it, but eventually I'll get bored, feverish, and return to lusting after more excursions or experiences. We sat chatting and I divulged all that is brewing in my stewpot of a brain. Through the end of the year, at least, I will most definitely be enjoying life in Alexandria. Beyond that, there is a possibility for a trip abroad. I'll see where life takes me.