Kids

Today was day one of the Region of Niagara's water festival. It is supposed to raise awareness about water conservation, and so we've had schools shuttle students in all day long. It began with me picking up my coworker and classmate Olivia who was going to be my partner. Then a moment fumbling with my GPS, only to learn that the conservation area we were supposed to go to wasn't on it. So, we relied on good old physical maps and made our way down country roads, over old bridges, and winding through vineyards.

Tents, signs, and even breakfast was already set up when we arrived. We checked in, threw on our shirts, and headed to our station. A sizable white tent with tables and seating.

For the next 5 hours I was "mad scientist Dan" and she was "mad scientist Olivia." Together we demonstrated the tests we did on water in the lab, albeit in a much simpler sense, and taught grade three and five students about water quality analysis.

They were so full of energy, so promising, so bright, so enthusiastic. It felt like frosh week again, except with frosh that were hyped up on caffeine.

The highlight of the day was as we were packing up and about to leave. Two little boys came back to our tent to wave goodbye to us, and yelled out "goodbye mad scientist Dave!" to me. The expressions on their faces and flailing waves, were just awesome. I didn't even bother correcting them about my name.

A full week of this, it's like being a camp counselor. This job just gets better and better.

Life here is comfortable. Ottawa was nice, I still love Mississauga... so that leaves one more place to visit before I decide where I'd like to be for the next few years... Vancouver (: