Jungle Night Walk

Okay here’s the story of my jungle adventure. I was supposed to go on a night jungle walk tour in the Daintree Rainforest last night. I drove 3 hours, ate dinner and walked around, and hung out till 7:20, when the tour was supposed to leave. I could tell by the look on the guy’s face as he drove up that it was cancelled. 😦 Apparently for the first time ever, the tour wasn’t booked up. I was the only one. And for safety reasons they can’t go with just one person (which totally makes sense). The only sketchy part was he said they had no contact info for me, when I’d actually emailed with them several times and had called about 3 hours earlier to ask about parking. Surely 3 hours before the tour they would’ve known it was looking iffy. Oh well, it wasn’t his fault, and there wasn’t anything he could do other than apologize. (I’ll get a refund obviously.)

After verifying there was no way to get around this (recruit a person at the bar to go, bring along an off-duty tour employee, etc.), I asked if there was anywhere around there where it was safe to explore at night. He said there was a little boardwalk similar to what we would’ve done. He said it’s a raised boardwalk and shouldn’t have crocodiles. 😳

So I drove to the boardwalk and walked around just enough to say I’d done it. Meaning for about ten seconds. It was terrifying being out there alone in the pitch blackness. Also, I suddenly remembered that if there’s one thing I excel at, it’s getting lost. So I went back to the car and started to leave.

But I turned the wrong way. Which didn’t matter, because all roads went to the exit. But it meant I drove by a big white van, which is generally a clear sign of a serial killer; but in this case I got excited, because there were five people getting out with torches (flashlights, Americans, chill out). So I pulled up, got out, and asked, “Are you guys doing a walking tour?” One guy said they were just going on a quick stroll. I told them what happened and he asked if I wanted to come along.

So I did. I never did figure out exactly what this group was. That guy was clearly the guide, and in the know. But I had taken his “just going for a stroll” statement to mean it wasn’t an official tour. My best guess is that he was staying at the backpackers’ hostel thingy where the other group were staying, and that he was either an unofficial or an official hostel tour guide. I dunno. Anyway, the four others were from four different European countries, so I never figured out if they knew each other or not. Maybe they’d just gotten to be friends while backpacking.

As we went into the jungle, one of the girls said, “This seems like the beginning of a murder movie.” Uh yeah. And I’m the blonde, American stranger.

It was so much fun. Probably very similar to what I would’ve seen on the other one, except free. When I left, I noticed the van said something about “Uncle Brian.” The leader of the group was named Brian. So apparently it was a paying tour and he’d just let me join for free.

If you’re ever in Daintree, find Uncle Brian for a great tour! (You’ll probably have to pay.)

Almost Missed Flight

I just had the closest call with a missed flight ever! Here are all the things that went wrong, and then right.

I took a bus to the train station, and caught the right train. But apparently the stop was one of the first ones, and somehow I missed it. I’m still not quite sure how. And I got busy writing something on my phone, and when I pulled out my GPS to check how far I was, I noticed the little dot going the wrong way. I got off at the next stop and asked an info guy. He told me to take the opposite train, which I got on as the doors closed.

However, this train did not, in fact, go to the airport. Apparently it was an express and went right past. When I noticed the GPS dot going north instead of east, I got off. At this point I thought it might be best to take a taxi, because another info guy told me I’d have to change trains again. So he told me where to go for a taxi. I waited for a bit, and no taxis. So I asked another info guy if there was any way I could get to the airport for an 8:50 flight, given that it was 7:55. He told me the train would still be the best bet. So I lost a few minutes there, but took another train, transferred, and finally got on the airport train.

Meanwhile I discovered that the flight I’d checked in for was actually my flight back on Wednesday, rather than today’s. So I did that while standing on the train.

There was a long line at the airport. I told a lady the issue, and told her I’d checked in but didn’t check my bag yet. She got on a walk-in-talkie and asked them to open a line they had closed, but then told me my bag was small enough and I should just take it. She ushered me through to security. There were about 3 people ahead of me, and it went fairly quickly. I even managed to avoid triggering the body scan.

Until…I got randomly selected to be screened for explosive devices. The guy made small talk, told me I’d dropped a $5 bill, and finally sent me on my way. I ran to my gate, and told them the lady had told me to gate check my bag. She took my bag and told the lady to enter it into the system later. She sent me right on the plane, where I’m sitting now.

Oh yeah, I’m going to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. I would’ve been terribly disappointed to miss this, and I’m within the 24 hour cancellation window for both tours I’ve booked, so I would’ve lost a bunch of money.

Tokyo Moneyless Adventure

Every time I go to a different continent I have debit card issues. In South Africa the machine ate my card the first day, because it had a bend in it. In Kenya it ate my card because it felt like it. When I got off the plane in Tokyo, I went to the ATM, asked for some yen, and was told my card was invalid. Twice.

So I went to buy a train ticket, after getting a lady to write down exactly what train I needed. The machine wouldn’t take my credit card. So all I had was a little over $20 USD that I’d converted to yen at the airport. I paid cash for my train ticket, and asked another person to verify that the name is written down was on the train line I was going to.

It was. Except he mentioned I needed to transfer, but I didn’t understand where. For some reason, rather than having him write it down, I just kept walking toward the train. I think it was because I wasn’t convinced he was right, since someone else had told me differently. But there was an American guy waiting, and he confirmed that that line didn’t have that stop on it. I’ll confess I was a little overwhelmed at this point. No money, and potentially the wrong train ticket.

But I got on and asked the girls next to me where I needed to transfer. We had a fun little half-English, half-Japanese conversation, and they helped me figure it out. I transferred with no incident.

My hotel was supposed to be a 4-minute walk, but I wanted to make sure I went the right way. I stopped two men and asked. They didn’t speak English, and didn’t seem to accept that I didn’t speak Japanese. Finally I pointed to the biggest street I could see on the gps and pointed down an alley. They pointed the other way. So I went that way, and from that point my gps was perfect.

My hotel is a tiny room in a building of tiny rooms. The front door and room door are automated. I didn’t have any trouble with the front door, but it took a while to figure out the room door. Now I’m resting briefly before going to try my credit card at a restaurant, and then coming back to go to bed. I did hear some Americans in the hall earlier, so I may ask them if I can PayPal or Venmo them money, in exchange for some yen.

More Than I Can Chew

I feel like I’ve bit off more than I can chew the next few weeks. School is out, but I still have two research projects I have responsibilities on. I’m presenting one next week in San Diego, and I’m supposed to give my presentation to my advisor tomorrow so she can give feedback. But I’d set aside yesterday to finish it and it just didn’t happen. I hit several roadblocks and realized there was information I don’t have.

A couple of weeks ago I asked my mom if she’d go up to Fayetteville with me for two days this week. The idea was to take her to a puppy training class with us, since she’ll have him a big part of the summer. While we were up there, I figured it would be a good idea to do some cleaning and organizing that I’ve been meaning to do. And I booked tickets for The Sound of Music for tonight. In the meanwhile, I’ve realized how desperately behind schedule I am, but we have the tickets and we’re heading up this morning.

We were also supposed to have a conference call related to another research project tomorrow. Luckily, my advisor emailed us all and said she wouldn’t have time to get her responsibilities finished by then, so I added that I’d only be about halfway done, and the guy leading the project suggested postponing. The week they want to reschedule for is the week I leave for Australia. 😑 That’s also the week my online classes start.

I want to cry from the stress of it all. One bad thing about being at my parents’ house is that there’s nowhere to hide other than my room. That’s a big part of why I love living alone. I don’t mask my face very well. When something’s on my mind I can’t focus on anything else, and having people around is painful.

My father had some setbacks yesterday. He was more confused than usual and had some physical issues. It was better by the time he went to bed, but it’ll be interesting to see how he is in the light of day. We finally got some respite care for him, so that my mom can leave for a few hours at a time. Today’s probably not the ideal day to start it, but someone’s coming 11 hours today and 11 hours tomorrow (the most they can come before they have to pay out-of-pocket). My brother’s around too.

Ever notice that things go wrong at the exact time you really need things to go right? Is this just confirmation bias? Maybe things also go right at the exact time you need them to go right, and you just don’t notice. But this week is kicking my butt and it’s just Tuesday. I know that all the research stuff will work out. Things like that just work out. There are much more important things that actually matter, but they’re hard to deal with when all my time has to be spent on the research stuff.

Today’s plan is to drive 3 hours to Fayetteville, and let my mom start cleaning while I try to finish my presentation by the time we leave for the play. I know I’ll feel a lot better after tomorrow afternoon, but there’s a ball of stress in my stomach so big that it needs a name. This too shall pass. (The context of that quote isn’t the way we typically use it. Google if you don’t believe me.)

Peace and happiness can’t be contingent upon external circumstances. I truly believe that, and I’m getting better at practicing it.

The End of the Day

Today’s been quite a day, for a variety of reasons. But something interesting happened tonight. I took Dempster on a walk just as it was getting dark. I needed to pray, and walking is good for that. As I got to the top of my parents’ street, I saw a lady sitting on a tractor or four wheeler or something (I didn’t pay much attention), facing the other way, sobbing loudly. My first thought was to say something, but I know that if that were me I really wouldn’t want a stranger to do that. Or probably anyone really. I like to sob alone. So I walked past, and then turned around a few houses later to head home.

When I walked back by, she was still sobbing, and I think I heard her say, “God, it wasn’t supposed to be like this.” The desperation in her voice was heartbreaking, and I almost started crying in empathy. I debated saying, “I don’t know what’s wrong, but do you want to pet my puppy?” But I didn’t. This isn’t an interesting story because of any great thing I did.

But it changed my mindset. I suddenly focused my prayer all on her – praying that God would give her peace with whatever is going on, or even fix the situation. I prayed that our paths would cross again, and I could share my hope with her.

I came home to find all my issues still existed and, in addition, a situation with my father had gotten worse (nothing I’m going to share via blog). But I was grateful that God gave me the experience of knowing a need – though I don’t really know the need – I can pray for, and taking my thoughts off of myself.

In the meantime, in the chaos with my father, Dempster got shut in a room in the dark. He howled and whimpered for a while, and my mom and I both thought he was at the backdoor wanting out. Finally we realized and rescued him. Maybe he’ll forgive us soon.

Nigeria!

I just got accepted for another Global Autism Project trip – to Nigeria, in July of next year. I just randomly applied the other night, and wasn’t expecting to find out so soon!

Year One is in the Books!

I wanted to reflect a little on my year of PhD school (I never know what to call it, so I use the silliest descriptor I can think of). But I’m too dang tired.

Last night I had my stats final. I’m almost always the first one done with tests. It’s always been that way. Math would be the subject where that’s the least likely to happen. So last night when I walked up to the teacher and reached out my paper, we had a moment. She mouthed, “You’re finished?” And I almost apologized. But I think I did fine. I’m pretty sure I got an A in the class. If I didn’t, it would be a high B, which is what I got last semester with that same teacher. Not counting undergrad, where I’m pretty sure I had two stats classes, I’ve now had three more plus one single-subject design course (which is what ABA uses). I have to take at least one more, possibly two. I actually kinda think I get some of it now.

Tonight I gave my final presentation in my Instructional Theory class. It’s been a fun class, because I’m the only behaviorist in a group of almost 20 social constructivists (I don’t expect anyone to know what that means; I didn’t till this semester). After my presentation, the instructor called out, “Thanks for staying strong all semester.” Lol. Someone else referred to “Jessica’s behaviorism” in their presentation. It’s kind of funny because I’m not as hard core as some behaviorists. For instance, sometimes its tenets conflict with my religious beliefs regarding free will and determinism. When that happens, I choose religion and admit I don’t know everything.

My presentation almost hit a snag. Last week I asked the guy next to me what the best way to get my presentation on that computer was. He said google drive. So I did that, but brought my laptop just in case. And it was a good thing, because during the presentation right before mine, I realized I didn’t know my google password. Since I had my laptop, I emailed the presentation to another student from my university address, and she was going to pull it up on her google drive. Then I realized now that it was in my sent email, I might as well just check that account (cuz I know that password) and save it from there. So I did.

After class I decided to celebrate with my favorite Thai food and a Dr. Pepper. I wanted to watch a movie, but I think I’m going to bed. :/ I still have research responsibilities that I need to work on for the first half of tomorrow, and then Dempster and I are going to the Oklahoma gathering. I don’t think I’ve been in at least 10 years, so I’m looking forward to it.

We went to see Dempster’s breeders today for a quick visit. They were so glad to see him.

The Farm

This morning I drove out to my work colleague’s farm for breakfast and to collaborate about our summer camp. She got a puppy from the same breeder, after seeing Dempster’s picture when he was tiny. Hers is two months younger, but a little bigger. He’s an actual mini, unlike my supposed-to-be-mini-actually-toy (who is up to a whopping 9 lb. 10 oz.!). They were great together!

I have my last two finals tonight and tomorrow night, and my nose-to-the-grindstone habits the last few weeks have meant that this afternoon I didn’t have to do much toward either of them. So I caught up on some grading, entered some data for my San Diego thing, sent some cards, read a little, took a walk, and even tried to watch a movie (I got distracted). Finally I put the pup on his leash and we’re sitting out on the patio. He’s whimpering because it’s no fun being outside if you can’t run. Maybe we’ll take a quick trip to the dog park before class actually…yeah, we’re gonna do that. Bye.

Who Prayed for Summer?

This is why southerners roll their eyes when northerners complain about cold. You can always put on more. There’s only so much you can take off without getting arrested or FaceBook Live-d. There are 94° days in the forecast. In May!! Not cool. Literally, or in any other way. Of course, this is central Arkansas and I’m up in the northwest mountain area where it’s just in the 80’s this week. But it’s May. It would be great if we could have some 70° days instead of going from 30’s to sidewalk-fried feet.