I got all settled in last weekend and met my new roommate and housemates. They're all really nice, down to earth people that love nature. I developed a chest cold and the paleo diet went right out the window for me as I struggled to breathe normally and had to watch everyone else in the house around me eat yummy and easy to cook favorite foods. Shame on me, I know, but I'm okay with it. I'm pretty much better health-wise at this point in case you were wondering!
My job is great. I got to play out on the grounds some this week pruning Polly's play pen, removing some Rhododendrons that had out-grown their homes, and stripping bark off of Locust posts to be used as a new fence. I also got to do some work in BGBase (A plant database). In all my time at the SCBG I knew that I enjoyed my days working through the plant sale database but I never thought it was a general love for record keeping. I was really enjoying working through the intricacies of this program and using Excel for something useful. Everyone at the arboretum has been incredibly welcoming and supportive throughout my first week. They held a wonderful lunch on Thursday for myself and the new horticulturist, Ian.
Speaking of... Ian and his girlfriend invited me to their apartment last night for dinner. It was really nice to hang out with them outside of work and get a chance to know each other a little bit more. We all went on a winter walk held by the arborist at Polly Hill on Saturday and went on a Conservation Society winter walk through some private land today. There are so many ecologically centered efforts going on in Martha's Vineyard. I think I'm really going to enjoy my time here.
I also visited a yoga studio and am thinking about starting classes in the coming weeks. In true Jaime fashion I am filling up my schedule quickly and struggling to remind myself to slow down. Apparently no matter where I go or what I am doing I will always be running from place to place trying to do everything.
