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15 Days Left

The realization that my time here is almost through has finally hit. Yesterday, Anniina, Elina, Ryan, and I went to Jackson for the day. We saw the Tetons and had a good time shopping and seeing the town. Today, I'm just relaxing in my room, doing laundry, reading, and smoking with Ryan and James.

I'm reconsidering my trip to San Francisco. Janne suggested that if Ryan and I were willing to get a job in Helsinki next summer, we could all share an apartment. I may do that in place of going to San Francisco for a week. Besides, none of my teachers have gotten back to me about my schoolwork, and I have the feeling that they won't for a while.

I really have only one real weekend left, and I think I am going to spend it going to a secret place here in Yellowstone. My roommate caught wind of a place called "Fairyland," which is a place no trail leads to and only four expeditions are recorded to have gone out there. Because of the difficulty, not many private groups have made it out there, and it takes multiple days to reach the area. Anyways, there are supposedly many strange geysers out there, some shaped like mushrooms. It's called fairyland because of these oddities; people who've seen it fancy that it's inhabited by a magical race of fairies.

My time here has been most valuable due to the people I've met and the good connections I've formed with the Xanterra company. It has also satisfied the need in me to spend more time in nature and do lots of hiking. Wherever I work next summer, I hope to have a job that is more fulfilling than "geyser grill prep cook."

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