Living in a Boulder

April 8, 2010

Just got done eating and cleaning after dinner… today we worked on cleaning out the ditches with pitch forks, getting the pine cones/needles out of it. The ditch we have been working in this week is so beautiful I can’t even explain. Well I suppose it’s not the ditch but the surroundings. After work I was convinced to join most of my team in Hot Yoga. Which for starters I am SUPER inflexible and am not really a fan of yoga, let alone yoga in a room that is 95 + degrees. Oh boy was it an experience, one that I will not be partaking in ever again J. I am happy I tried it though and gave it a shot. This week we have been working on the longest of the ditches, clearing the bushes from around it/and in it. It is pretty repetitive but being surrounded by beauty and great company makes it worth it.

Last week we worked in fields pulling Mediterranean Sage with shovels. It was pretty mind numbing and the scenery wasn’t much but it was okay… kind of got to be a lot 3 days in a row but we made it. Thursday there were only eight of us since some people went home a day early. We worked in the mountains, on the side of the mountains I should say, hand pulling Murtal Spurge. This invasive species has the same effect as poison ivy on skin but worse so we wore long pants and shirts, protective glasses and gloves. A lady was pulling this weed in her yard and the milk of it got in her eye and she went blind for three days so it was kind of a big deal.

Thursday night I got to go home again… I had planned while in Texas to surprise my momma. It worked since she had no idea I was there and I just walked up from have a sleepover with big brother Dave. It was really fun to be home again and see family and friends. Friday after some running of errands my sister, dad and I took my parents boat out for the first time ever which was really exciting and a little chilly. Makes me sad to think about all of the fun that will be had on it this summer but glad I will be home for the end of boating season. Friday night I was able to go to a buddy’s house that had a lot of people over from high school which was really nice to catch up with a lot of people. I also did some shopping with my mom and sister Friday and Saturday but didn’t end up buying much. I think it was just nice being able to drive wherever I wanted whenever I wanted to. Sunday was wonderful; my dad’s side came to my parents and then I was able to head to my mom’s side so I was able to see most all of my relatives.

It’s so weird being home… kind of feels like what I am doing here is unreal/dream or something. I get home and not much has changed, making it feel like that is not where I am supposed to be, which is true because I am right where I belong. As always I am still trying to figure out what I will be doing after this experience and also where I will be. Who knows J… What I did find out is that my team next round will be in New Orleans doing rebuilding from Katrina. Not sure how I feel about that but I just have to deal with it. Since I will be there for two months I really hope I am able to see my aunt and uncle who live down there. It is going to be very hot, which I am not overly looking forward to but it will be fun to go swimming and stuff. Personally I like environmental projects better than construction (this round and my first round in AR). But, I am very glad I am learning so many new skills about housing. There is so much I want to do while still in Boulder that I have to start fitting in… so many amazing trails I want to hike.

I really need to go shower, from the gallons of water I lost during Hot Yoga. Tomorrow I think we are walking to the near by Mexican restaurant to sit on their patio and eat some chips and salsa, then Saturday we’re headed to Denver for a Denver Rockies game which I am so very excited for. It is supposed to be beautiful out that day so we are going to head there early, grill and hang out at a park before heading to the game. Then Sunday we have some ISP and then I am hoping to go on one of the many hikes around this beautiful city.

Love always,
Nicole Marie Burg