Dear digital journal,

Today is, in a way, my last day at the trial. Today was more about, re-evaluating what was evaluated yesterday, ish. I was asked to take a second look at one part of the trial, the one damaged by herbicide. Although I was still able to evaluate and make a call, it is still too iffy and people aren’t happy. So, I only spent about half a day on site, right about up to lunchtime.

I knew I wanted to enter all my datas before lunch, so instead I drove to the hotel, got all cleaned up and entered part of my data, until I got hungry. After my lunch meal, I entered the rest of my data and did more computer work.

Now, there is no need whatsoever for me to go back to the site tomorrow, I am done with the project. So, I wanted to try and see if I could change my flight to get back home much sooner. I called the company in which we book everything through. The lady on the phone was very helpful, but unfortunately, there were no earlier flights (sad trombone). The one and only option was leaving tomorrow afternoon but then stay overnight at an airport which it’ll put me arriving home the same day as it’s already scheduled.

So, not sure, I will most likely work from the hotel or a Starbucks all day tomorrow. I could go to the site too and use a room. I could also take the day off. For what, though? There is something about this place that doesn’t make me want to venture much.

Bar hopping?

No?

Okay.

I’ll work then.

Today was it, I did what I came to do, Watermelon and melon field grow out. In other words, a field day!

Not going to lie, last time I visited this site to do the same was two years ago, 2019, when I had first started at my job. The evaluation was pretty much done by Ed and the lady I pretty much work for, Ellen. I was basically tagging along and learning the ropes. This time, though, it was just me, by myself, ish.

It was very different from the las time. At least I somewhat knew the site, but not many of the people. The first time I had visited, they were having “field day” with customers, so I barely got to know anyone. This time, Field Day was last week, so I got to meet more people. Fun fact, once I got to the site and introduce myself, that was the last time I spoke English. In this site, are mostly Hispanics. That obviously made me feel much, much better and right at home.

Then, it was evaluation time. Even though this is only my second time, I felt pretty confident. I had a side-kick, Maria, she was cutting the watermelons as we went, for evaluation. It wasn’t too hot, high 70 degrees and windy, nice morning.

We had about 75% of the work done by lunchtime. Which I rewarded me self with a delightful burger, plus, it was the closest thing that was not fast food.

The place, it’s called BurgerFi, or something like that. Never heard of it before. Pretty good, though.

Once the evaluation for watermelon 🍉 was done, it was time to check out the melons 🍈. Which, unfortunately, had issues. Apparently, a herbicide that was not supposed to be applied, got applied. It burned the plants and most of the fruit, making the evaluation much more difficult than it should have been.

I guess it is what it is. At least the evaluation got done. I had planned for 3 days, but technically did it all in one. However, they want me to go back again for a second look and to compared what I saw with the genetic data we have. To see if what I saw, sort of matches. It should be quicker and easier than today, though.

I might even get to get back home a day earlier, we shall see.

Today, was a long day! The one day I fully had to spend with my sister and her husband before a 3-hour drive to my true final destination. They took me to a nice local brewery, Hiatus Brewing Co, very tasty beer. We basically had all their IPAs and Stouts 😅

Then, it was time for lunch. We had this idea to visit a burger food truck called The Burger GOAT. We knew it was about an hour and half drive, but by the time we were done with the beer, we knew we wanted to eat. They had been bragging about this sushi place, that they have visited many places in the area and this was it. So, I said, let’s go there.

Boy-oh-boy, they were not kidding! The place it’s called Aki Sushi, and I got to admit, I have never had so good of a sushi, like the one at this place. So, so good! I don’t even know how to describe it, it was just the best sushi I’ve ever had. We also had Japanese beer and sake 🍺 🍶 🍱

After that delicious meal, we head back to my sister’s house, had a couple of local beers they had bought, laughs and a good time. Once I was ready and able, it was time for the journey ahead, a 3-hour drive from Ocala to Naples.

It was a long drive, it felt like it was forever, also listening to podcasts I would normally not listen to, but I needed something. Should have probably done an audiobook, oh well, next time.

Now I am at the hotel, tired, exhausted. Had something to eat, a bottle of water and drinking a Stout on a coffee cup, like pro.

A very early rise yesterday, and headed for the airport. It felt so weird, traveling in times like these. I mean, a lot of it is the same but not the same. I was much more paranoid than normal, for sure. I wanted to avoid touching anything, extremely aware of not touching my face. Not only that, but I freaked out about the fact that I had forgotten my hand sanitizer. The safety speech before taking off has more lines now (😅).

People, so many people, I am no longer used to this. Definitely a shocker, of sorts. If there’s one thing I’m was happy to see, was everyone being compliant on wearing their masks 😷.

The whole thing was a nightmare for me in some ways. Once I arrived to my final destination, it was time to pick up the car and head out to my sister’s. Well, for whatever reason, not only my main phone was pretty much dead, but neither phone had cell service. Work phone was fully charged but again, no service and no way to use Apple Maps. I had no idea where I was supposed to be going, all I knew is that I needed to get out of the garage and hopefully regain cell service. It took an hour, to get out of the garage!

Out of the garage and still no cell service for whatever reason. I kept driving, in a place I’ve never been, hoping I was heading to the right direction. Eventually, I got cell service back and was able to use the Apple Maps to head to my sister’s way. Luckily, I wasn’t lost so didn’t have to reroute once I got Apple Maps going, phew

Let us hope, everything will be downhill from here.