Hand kisses from Neg:

There are a lot of things happening in the (soon to be) Jorgensen household as of now; in case you missed it, I adopted us another child. 

Jasper was hit by a car and left on the side of the road for dead and as soon as I saw him I knew we had to adopt him. Lars will readily tell you that I would adopt every animal who needed a home if I could, and it was no surprise to anyone when I came home one day after getting my haircut and said "So I may have adopted us another child..." without asking Lars first. whoops. 

The transition, as with all introductions, has been a little rough. We are on the other side of it now I think, everyone is getting along 90% of the time with some disagreements here and there. Raleigh just wants to play with him and Butters hates everything about him. Specifically when I'm petting him and not her. I raised a sassy one.

So now in our tiny one bedroom home, we share the bed with 3 babies. Who, luckily, never all sleep on it at the same time. 

Also, we are less than 2 months from #jorgensenwedding2015! HOLY POOOOOP. And I can feel the anxiety rising, let me tell you what. Not so much for the actual day itself, I've been waiting to marry Lars for almost a decade now but the details. There is so much shit to keep track of it's sincerely ridiculous. Center pieces, catering, how do we get here, where do we put this, etc. LIKE WHAT. I hate weddings. Seriously. I've said it from the beginning- a money pit. An industry designed to put you in debt for a 8 hour event.  *eyeroll* What I'm trying to say is, hire a fricken wedding planner. Spend the money. I wish I would have.  Now I'm drawing some wedding ground plans, getting centerpieces made and NOT DIETING TO FIT IN MY DRESS. because that is the dumbest shit I've ever heard. 

BUT I AM EXCITED THO. I'm excited to spend a week with my dearest friends before hand, in the most beautiful place in WA, getting ready for an amazing day of love! All those pesky details are trying to distract me! turds. 

Lars and I are having a CSNW/Tanzania inspired wedding, thanks to the Cle Elum 7 and our approaching travels. The only redeeming quality of being bogged down by details- at least they are chimp focused! 

This week, a truly remarkable feat happened that has resulted in "June 22- Becca and Neggie BFFL day." 

I wouldn't say that Neg and I have a complicated history, more of a small one. Negra isn't one to play chase or hand tickle. If you walked into the sanctuary on any given day, you'd probably find her in her spot on the catwalk under the window napping in her nest. It's her home, so she can do what she wants. The few times Negra moves quickly is when a meal is about to happen. After the meal she heads right back to her nesting position. Not a bad way to live, I must say. 

I came in on Monday morning and did my usual rounds. A quick "good morning" to all the chimps. Usually I only get to see B and James, as they are inside watching who is in the human area. Jamie will start to groom my boots, and we get so wrapped up in that that I don't get to see everyone else until breakfast. Monday I said a quick hello to James and went out to the greenhouse to see who was there. Foxie was laying on her back with a baby on her belly minding her own business, and I walked to the upper section of the greenhouse to find Miss Negra ready and (not so patiently) waiting for breakfast. To my shock, she stuck her lips out through the caging for a hand kiss. It took me a few seconds to realize what was happening- Neg and I have had maybe 1 other contact (outside of meal interactions) in the 3 years I've been there. I sat down and said "I can have a kiss Neg?" and she continued to stick her lips out. I put the back of my hand up to the caging and got a kiss! I put my hand down, and Neg asked for another one, sticking her lips back through! I took a second kiss on the hand from her, said a very loving "thanks Neg!" and started to stand up. She then turned around and pushed her back up to the caging, asking for some grooming. Shocked, again, wondering if that's what she was actually asking for; I picked up a stick and said "okay Neg I'll groom you if you want." and sat for a few minutes picking through her hair. Then Annie came up to say hello, I said "thanks Neg!" and gave Annie some hand tickles and went to finish up getting breakfast ready. 

I ran back into the human area to tell the staff of my experience, because they also know Neg isn't giving out hand kisses for free like B does. She doesn't let people groom her that often, and a good amount of the time she will quickly threat bark and try to poke you once you start, as though she forgot that she asked for grooming, or quickly changed her mind. This was such an amazing interaction that now we have a bffl day. 

It's such a milestone to share these interactions with Negra, who in my opinion is the hardest to create a relationship with. I'm truly thankful that she is opening up to me, and understands my relationship with her is a positive and healthy one. So thankful for this experience, and I hope Neggie and I will have many more. 

I bought Jamie and I matching boots, and she was moderately impressed. In her defense, Lars was there that day and she was very invested in who he was and what he was doing. I can't really blame her though.. :) 

<3 

b

Strength and Resiliency:

If there is one thing I know to be 100% true, it's that I am strong. Stubborn, independent, impromptu, rash, whatever other words I consider to be synonyms of that word; I am strong. Physically? Well, not so much. I can lift some heavy things from time to time but my physical strength is something like a pot brownie. Powerful, but fleeting. Strong for a few hours and then pretty much useless. (Coming from a person who had marijuana filled brownies once in her life and was pretty sure I was hearing aliens, but whatevs.) My strength is a mental component, something that no one can see but I can feel. And to be perfectly honest, I stole the trait from the Cle Elum 7. 

I've learned a lot in my years with these chimps, and there are some major life lessons I've been taught that I don't think I would have learned without these guys. In particular, inner strength and resiliency. And, a purpose to live. 

I'm not going to tell you a story about a young Becca who was clinging to life, wondering why she was even born. (Although I did at one point write a run away note to my parents to say they were better off without me, lets just chalk that one up to puberty.) Depression is a very real and very serious issue and I don't think I need to explain that in much detail. I was on the verge of depression though, that I can say for sure. I had too many ideas in my head of what I wanted to do and no clear path of which one was the right one. Because of my OCD type A personality I hated the idea of just "trying some out" because "learning by failure" was absolutely not an option. I always had a plan, and deciding what to do with my life was not the time to have nothing but a blank line. 

Then, I volunteered for the first time at CSNW, and after my 3 hour shift of doing laundry, preparing meals and enrichment and making chow bags was over, I sat in my car and cried. This was it. This was what I was born to do. 

Fast forward a few years, and I am stronger and more resilient because of these 7 individuals and I am forever thankful for all they have taught, and continue to teach me. 

If resiliency could be measured, these 7 chimps would have enough to fill the Pacific Ocean. No joke, they could fill 1/3 of the planet. All of the things they've had to endure, it's amazing they are still here. If I were in their shoes I don't think I would have survived. I'm not ashamed to admit that, and if it's a trait we lost in the evolutionary line, I wish I could go back to being a chimp. 

Imagine for a moment that you are in a cage barely large enough to turn around in, separated from your friends. Being poked and prodded, knocked down for injections of who knows what, in a room with no windows. You have no choices. You do what you're told, when you're told. You eat what is given to you, or you starve.  You've never seen the sky above you. You've never touched grass with your bare feet. 

Personally, I don't think many humans could endure that kind of scenario for very long. The Cle Elum 7 did, and that resiliency and strength is one of the most important things I've learned from them. 

What truly amazes me and I'm sure many others, is that the chimps have learned to trust humans again after the terrible things they had to endure earlier in their life. They owe us nothing, and yet they willingly created friendships and bonds with the humans who work and volunteer at the sanctuary. I'm honored to call these 7 chimps some of my dearest friends and I know that these relationships wouldn't be possible without their willingness to forgive humans. Proving the point I've long been trying to make, that I enjoy a chimpanzee's company over a human. Duh. 

Here are some photos I've managed to take in past week: 

B and his toothbrush

Painting with some bamboo:

My painting of B:

If you are lucky enough to have strength and resiliency already inside of you, I hope you can help others find it. If you are still searching for it; don't give up just yet. Sometimes when you feel like you've found rock bottom, things find their way to you. Rome wasn't built in a day you know, so keep going. 

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." -Lao Tzu

-B

Missy's eyes:

It sounds a little weird to say "I love staring at Missy" but it's a true statement. 

Staring directly into a chimpanzees eyes is considered a threat, so I don't stare at her while she's looking at me, but from time to time when we are grooming or in close quarters I sneak a glance at her eyes. 

(photo from CSNW's website.)

I think all of the Cle Elum 7 are beautiful, and I make a point of telling them that every time I see them, but lately something about Missy has got me bewitched. Her brow ridge, the lines on her nose, her white patchy face, it's all beautiful. 

Yesterday (yes I know, tuesday. Not my normal day, but in an attempt to be at the chimp house more than once a week, I'm going 3 times a week!) was a weird weather day. Warm and muggy and eventually a little rainy. It was a good day to sit outside near the greenhouse while everyone (even miss Neggie!) was relaxing and grooming each other. 

I just sat on the bench above the greenhouse and took in my surroundings. Ellie the Elk was outside the chimp area in the shade relaxing and so were all the chimps. One of those afternoons where you try to take in as much of the scenery as you can, attempting to make a mental picture for later. "A perfect day at the chimp house" or some other cheesy title would probably be fitting. 

Missy approached me for grooming, presented her shoulder and we began our afternoon session. I picked up a stick and began grooming her side where she asked. Scanning the area a few times, Missy and I caught each other's eyes a few times. I would look at her and she would look away, she would look at me and I would look away, carefully trying to not offend the other. Missy turning around to glance on the hill was the perfect picture, I only wish my eyes could capture moments like it. She looked so peaceful, but alert at the same time. 

(photo from CSNW's website)

Missy and I just sat in the heat and groomed for a while. I am overwhelmed with happiness that Missy now lets me groom her. Grooming is such a social friend activity, and it means a lot that Missy has enough trust to let me do this. She kept picking and scratching at the other side of her body, and finally I said "What's going on Miss? Can I see?" and she turned around and presented the other side of her ribs, revealing a red patch of skin she was scratching. "Just a little overgroomed I think, Miss" as she settled back down for more grooming. 

This act might not sound like a huge deal, chimpanzees are intelligent and understand what you say to them. In sanctuary, these chimps are given the choice of what they want to do. In their former lives, they were kept in cages so small that they had no choice to present their side or arm or leg; they were instantly knocked out with drugs and used in whichever way their human captors needed. Missy willingly presenting her side is a sign of trust. She knows I'm just going to look and not touch. It's a big deal, to me at least. 

Thinking back to my first few shifts at CSNW I remember hardly seeing Missy. She was so fast, running out of view almost as quickly as seeing her. I remember thinking, "Missy sure is a chimp's chimp." And that much still is true, but she also does have and enjoy relationships with the humans around her. My favorite aspect of Missy play is that she makes you run and work for it- I think she enjoys watching the exercise part of the play. Her facial expression during some play looks like she is hardly enjoying it, a bluff sometimes I'm sure. 

(Photo from CSNW's blog)

Another Missy -ism I adore is her fervent head-shaking when a food is of high value. She can shake her head faster than any human I've ever seen when a high-prized food item is being served. She is quite a fan of tomatoes, and apparently mushrooms (eating in the photo).  She's a quick chimp, often running past Jamie and I while we take leisurely strolls around the hill, and I often hear her feet slapping running around the playroom with Annie or often times, Neggie. 

I admire Missy's strength, much like the other chimps, for putting up with some shitty humans in the past but also her overall strength and resilience in her new life. She is finally free to roam her large outdoor enclosure at her leisure, and does so rather quickly, and I'm so glad she has the opportunity to do so now. I'm thankful that she is letting me into her life, even if it's just to exercise me in a game of chase, or clean the dry skin and bugs from her skin. There's truly nothing better. 

Expressing emotions about animals is often frowned upon, as we are taught in school to approach things objectively. Jane Goodall received tons of shit for naming the chimps of Gombe, as she was there to study them, and all case studies should have numbers and not names (said some old dudes who bore me). But I didn't meet Missy as a "subject" or a "number" or a "case." I met her as a friend. And I sure as shit tell her all the time; I sure do love you, Miss. 

<3

B

My confident boss:

One of my favorite aspects of volunteering in the chimp house is being an observer. To many, interacting and playing with the Cle Elum 7 probably seems like the best part of being there; and while that is very fun and an amazing experience truth be told I would rather sit back and watch the chimps interact with each other. Watching how everyone reacts to Burrito doing a display, watching Annie and Missy chase each other around the playroom, watching Jamie take something a part to use certain pieces for a specific task; all of it is my favorite to watch. Often I just sit quietly on the floor and watch, take notes and just be in the chimps presence. If I walked into the chimp area looking for play every time they would probably get pretty annoyed of me really fast. If I walk into an area and the chimps are grooming and/or playing I just sit and soak it in. If someone actively walks over to me to groom or play then I'll join in, but only if a chimp is asking. 

The hardest chimp, arguably, to just observe is the boss Jamie Chimpanzee. I walk into the chimp area, quiet as a mouse, to sit in the corner and just observe what everyone is doing and 90% of the time she immediately struts (not walks, she never just walks) over to me to investigate my shoes or socks or pants, etc. 

I mean, look at this glamazon. Photo by EK @ CSNW.

Jamie spent almost a decade of her youth living with humans, so it's no wonder that she is exceptionally fascinated with what we are wearing or what projects we are working on, or that she can solve problems in a fraction of the time that some of the other chimps can. A good portion of her youth she probably watched humans doing all kinds of weird things like washing dishes or typing or trying on clothes, and I'm sure she learned a lot of her problem solving tricks in those days, if there's any positives to come from that situation.  Imagining Jamie as anyone's pet  makes my stomach hurt. This glamazon boss I'm lucky to see a few times a week belongs to no one, and if she were a human she'd probably be that one friend who kicked guys to the curb left and right because no one is good enough for her. And you would reply with a "Amen, sister." 

Jamie's confidence never ceases to amaze me. Sometimes I think what CSNW would be like without her there. Who would be the boss? I truly can't imagine any other chimpanzee at the helm of the group. I have so much love and respect for that lady, and I am so lucky to get to spend so much time with her. 

Last week I went to the chimp house on Monday and Thursday, and it's amazing to see how the chimps react to seeing someone more than once a week. Missy and I played chase for a solid 10 minutes. B and I played tug of war and chase for 20 minutes. Annie gave me a quick and wonderful hand tickle before I left. Negra and Jody are the only two I've yet to really spend time with, but they at least tolerate my existence. The relationships I have are getting stronger and more meaningful, and not just to me but to the chimps as well. Things I live for. 

I purchased a canvas and some paints today, in an attempt to paint a picture of Jamie Chimpanzee. Black and pink paint, her favorite colors of course. <3

I was going to go to the chimp house yesterday (Thursday) but after a long week of the dog being stuck inside, I made it a day for him. We went to the pet store and got some new toys, went to the park 2 times and cuddled at home. Bub spends a lot of time in his kennel when we are not home, as he has dug a hole through the bed a few times, so even though it kills me to not be at the chimp house when I have the time, I know it was a good day for bub to run and play. 

Here's to spending more time outside, purging the old and welcoming the new. 

-b

*Pans to camera* "Really?!?!"

This week has been a series of moments that left me panning to camera to say "Really?" 

Example A: I'm out and about doing errands, realizing I need red tights. As in, I wanted to wear some one day and I discovered I didn't have any. So I spend some time in the mall (on the weekend which is the worst possible time to go to any mall) trying to find some to fit my fat ass (not a self-pitying or derogatory statement, my ass is fat and I love it. Fact.) and when I finally get home I find not 1, but 3 pairs of crimson tights long lost in a drawer. 
*pans to camera* "Really?!"

Example B:  I tackle a massive laundry day, 3 loads in one day (pretty irregular for our house) and upon folding the last of the last load, Princess Butters knocks the piles off of the bed and pukes on them. Just a shirt needed re-washing, but I really didn't need to fold all those clothes again right? WRONG.
*pans to camera/Butters* "Really?" 

Example C: Raleigh had his first day at Unleashed, a kennel free boarding facility that is quite literally a god send for us. We drop him off, he runs all day, then he sleeps like an angel. Amazing. He's there for his first (and only) day and he manages to run so hard and so long that he rips up his back paw pads. Has to stay home from Unleashed for the week. 
Like, the one place he can run his little heart out and play with tons of other dogs and he manages to hurt himself. Classic Ralls.
*pans to camera* "REALLY?!?!?!" 

I'm feeling a little annoyed, at the whole week of taking 1 step forward to take 2 steps back. Specifically with the Raleigh situation because that little shit spends more time in his cone than any other dog I know. So there we were: once again in the vet's office with his little booties on making sure he didn't get an infection. *eyeroll* 

Don't get me wrong, I take Raleigh to the vet 10000 times more than I go to the doctor. Weird scab/bump on my foot? Whatever, sleep it off. Weird scab/bump on Raleigh's foot? QUICK CALL THE VET EVERYONE PANIC OH MY GOD HE'S GOING TO LOSE THE FOOT. Same with Butters. Those two always get special treatment, and the same goes for any animal living/staying with me. 

One of my very favorite regulars came in to the shop at the height of this week, when Ralls had bloody feet and I knew it was going to cost me a few hundred bucks to fix. She's one of those people who can say one sentence to you and completely change your entire outlook on something, and always for the better. She said "You know, that's just life. In reality, we spend more time in the chaos than we do in the perfect happy medium place. Once you find that perfect spot where everything aligns and is working, it disappears. Makes you appreciate when things are good, even if not everything is good." And I was like 
"DAMMIT YOU ARE SO RIGHT."

We do spend so much time trying to balance everything perfectly, that we miss the good things happening. Yes Raleigh is in a cone again, and his feet are ripped to shreds but he's alive, loves doggy day care and still gets to cuddle with us every night. Yes Butters puked on my clothes, but at least she feels better after that right? It's an idea that we hear all the time in music and tv to "Appreciate the little things" or "be thankful for whats going RIGHT" but something we hardly ever do in practice. Bonding in our problems is such a cultural thing, and trying to bond in positive experiences is more difficult than it sounds.  For some reason, having this woman point it out to me just really worked. Here's to truly appreciating the small things. 

Yesterday Missy and I had some good interaction time, which is always a nice treat as she mostly runs around with Annie and the other chimps. Everyone was in a grooming session in the greenhouse except for Missy and Neggie who were inside. Missy and I played a little chase, then I grabbed a scarf and we played some tug-of war. In true Missy fashion, she got the scarf and proceeded to play a game of chase again, but this time Missy moved a few feet from the playroom door to the barn doors and I had to run from the playroom doors, through the kitchen, around the outside of the chimp house to the human side of the barn doors to try to grab the scarf only to have it pulled away to the playroom doors. Somethings I  think it's Missy's way of getting me some exercise. I mean, compared to her, she probably thinks I need to lose a few pounds. 

Mondays enrichment theme was "IPad Day" where the chimps have an opportunity to play games, paint, etc on the iPad. (in a chimp protective case and through the caging of course). Jamie likes to play a mouse catching game in which you tap on the mouse as it runs around the page and it squeaks when you hit it. She is a master at this game. Yesterday, not so much. Not remotely interested in the iPad. No painting, not even the animal sounds app that she and Foxie like to listen to, nothing. I brought the iPad into the playroom and she literally stared filing her nails with a file I gave her earlier. LITERALLY FILING HER NAILS SO BORED WITH THE IPAD. Foxie just wants to grab the iPad, but we did watch some Dora the Explorer for a minute. These chimps in particular are not that enthused about playing games on the iPad. Some days are more exciting than others, and more often than not Jamie is more interested in the pictures on my cell phone than what's on the iPad. Or better yet, grooming my feet and fingernails. 

I also, by some strange miracle, found a troll doll outside the coffee shop on Sunday morning. It's hard enough to find trolls on the internets, let alone to just come across one sitting outside. I snatched it up and gave it to Miss Foxie as a gift, and we even played some troll music with it! (A game I named, where Foxie passes me her troll doll and I bang it on anything and everything that makes noise, and we bob our heads to the music.) Nothing better than enjoying a troll doll together! 

Here's to patience, letting fate take its course and remembering to be present in every moment.

<3
b

Beginning the next chapter:

I'm realizing that I am nearly 3 weeks behind here, and not for lack of trying. I did sit down multiple times last week to attempt a blog about interacting with Missy and playing with Burrito last Monday but I couldn't find the words. There were too many things I wanted to include on the blog and I couldn't settle on just one so I just skipped it completely. Whoops. Life happens ya know? 

In an attempt to have a secret and a "big reveal" at our wedding, I was avoiding blogging because all I wanted to talk about was something I was trying to keep quiet. If anyone knows me, you know that I am literally the WORST at keeping secrets. Every single gift I've ever given to Lars has been ruined days, sometimes months, before I even give it to him, because I'm just so excited about it. So it's not all that shocking that I was trying to keep a secret until August and it's coming out now. 

Lars and I have set a timeline for a 2017 departure from the US to live in Tanzania, East Africa! Working in national parks, making coffee, working with kids (Lars, obviously.) and learning how to build a sustainable and functioning sanctuary are the goals, and we have no decided return date as we might just live there forever. I'm honestly pooping my pants with joy to return to my favorite place on the planet and start the next chapter of our lives. Soon you'll be reading this blog as I'm writing it from BEAUTIFUL ARUSHA TANZANIA! <3 (Or Manyara, or Kigoma. :)) 

So, stay tuned for updates on that adventure which will be nothing short of crazy and amazing. (And also look out for the million things I'll be getting rid of before we leave the beautiful PNW! including a dog and cat. :( sad sad, but the stress of moving that far would literally kill them. And I love my princess Butters too much to take her diva butt to a country of so much warmth. She's got long hair and will definitely have a heat stroke or 100) I'm calling it the "move back home" as my time in Tanzania was truly the only time I've been 100% comfortable with my surroundings, aside from when I'm with the chimpanzees in Cle Elum. Its the reason I have the Tanzanian flag tattooed on my arm with the word "Nyumbani" over it, meaning "home."

Sokwe Sanctuary may just have a home in Tanzania. We aren't sure yet on the logistics of where we will build, or if we will even need to build at all. We are, however, thrilled to be moving our life to the beautiful continent of Africa. (If Lars had it his way, we would be leaving directly after the wedding.) I have a few other (hundred) things to take care of before we leave though. :) 

As excited as I am about this adventure, I know the one thing that will be the hardest to do is say goodbye to my favorite chimpanzee friends. We have some time sure, but they will easily be my hardest goodbye.  That's why in the coming months I'll be moving my schedule around to volunteer with the chimps 3+ times a week. I love them all with all of my being, forever and always. Even Neggie. <3 

Anyway, apologizes for the lack of blogging. I've sat down multiple times in the last few weeks trying to blog about chimping, but all I've wanted to talk about is my move to Africa. The weather is warming up in Cle Elum and it's been a warm few weeks of spring with the chimps. Missy has been playing chase with me and letting me groom her, B is goofy and playful as usual and Jamie is keeping my interaction time with others in check as usual. I don't have a lot of pictures lately, but here's a panorama of walking with Jamie on Young's Hill from a week ago. 

Nothing better than walking with that lady and enjoying the beautiful view! <3 

This past Monday with the chimps was a beautiful day, and Jamie wanted to walk right away, even though we were just about to clean the play rooms. I said I would hurry and clean and then we could go; and she responded by throwing some poop at me to say : Actually we are going NOW!" K walked with her while the rest of us cleaned. Some days Jamie will wait, and some days she really wants to go right away. (The poop missed me, btw. Attaching itself to the wall above my head.) B and I played some chase and Missy even played a little chase with me as well, except with her version of chase the human moves 90% and she moves 10%. Our game of chase involved her turning around in one of the doors while I had to run through a door, outside, up some steps and into the greenhouse. Clearly, she was working ME out. 

Phew. Glad I got that off my chest! I'm so excited to begin this next chapter, and I can't wait to share all the joy and struggles that come along with it. 

<3

B

PLAYING WITH ANNIE!!

(Yes, the caps lock is actually needed and appropriate for the first time in my entire life.) 

Monday in the chimp house was a warm welcome from Jamie chimpanzee. Immediately when I got there, she was so excited and wanted to come down and say good morning and check out my shoes. A very nice change from last Monday when I was running out of doors to avoid poop. 

Jamie was having a mellow day, which provided the perfect opportunity to interact with some other chimps. Most of the day Jamie was in the playroom when others were in the greenhouse, giving ample space between us to play! Jamie and I did our walk around the hill and some boot grooming as usual, and when she was done she went inside, I got some things in the chimp house done and then I grabbed the giant green toothbrush that Burrito and I have been playing with a lot lately. 

I quietly walked past Jamie, careful not to disturb her or draw to much attention to the fact that I was on the way to interact with other chimps, and made my way to the greenhouse. There I found Big B, and we played some chase for about 10 minutes.  Chase with B usually involves running around the outside of the greenhouse. In the late fall/winter/early spring the greenhouse has sheets of hard plastic up to keep it insulated and you have to bang on them when playing chase, its a must. If you were watching me play chase from a ways away, it would look like me banging on the walls, chimp laughing and running back and forth like I have no idea where I'm going. B wasn't really into any grooming games, he just wanted to play some chase. After he took the toothbrush and ran out onto the hill, I went inside the greenhouse to see who else was inside. (Also to check if Jamie was on her way out to tell us to stop playing.)

Missy and Jody were on the very top of the platform just relaxing, and Annie was on the bottom platform, just hanging out. If you've been following this blog long, you know that Annie and I have a secret friendship. She will say hi and interact with me briefly, usually in the morning and when no other chimp or human is around. Needless to say, I was so excited/confused/happy when Annie and I had 10 minutes of play on Monday with other chimps around! 

I said hi to Annie, and sat down on the ground in the human area of the greenhouse. I didn't ask Annie to come over, I just sat down to be an observer. Sometimes the best times are when the chimps don't know I'm there. I get to see how they groom one another, who sleeps in what position, etc. After a few seconds of sitting, Annie grabbed the rope nearby, and flew over to me. She grabbed a nearby plastic hose tool and began to groom me. All I could say was "woah Annie!"I was so taken back by her initiating the play and her doing the grooming. She was using the tool to try and get into my boot, so I took my boot off, then my sock and she was pumped! Annie apparently has a thing for naked human feet, something the staff is just learning about, and she loves to investigate a good foot! She groomed my foot for a few minutes and then we started a weird new game I will call "pass the tube." Annie let me grab the other end of the tube and pull it completely to my side of the caging. She then put her hand up on another spot on the caging where I passed her the tube. She took the whole thing on her side of the caging and put it through another spot. This continued for a good 10 minutes! IT WAS AMAZING. 

During this interaction, Annie was hyper aware of surrounding chimps. She made eye contact multiple times with Missy, who was fine with us playing. She checked doors X and 4 multiple times in case an angry Jamie was on her way. Annie is not a big tool user either, probably why she was extra aware of Jamie being around. In the past, if a chimp is using the plastic hose tool in front of her, Jamie gets a little upset and will storm over and take it away. Due to the fact that Annie is not a tool user on a frequent basis, she was a little awkward with the plastic tube. Unsure of where to grab it, not quite confident in how to groom me, etc. At one point she just blew air into my face by blowing into her end of the tube. It was a free-for-all of "how the fuck do I use this??!?" 

It dawned on me on the way home that Annie is 40 years old (41 this September) and is just now learning how to manipulate a tool like a long plastic hose. Just now of course meaning, since she arrived at sanctuary in 2008. Chimpanzees are highly intelligent, that much has been proven over years of observation; tool use, language use, etc. I would argue that in some cases, chimpanzees are vastly smarter than me. Watching Jamie problem solve with tools or objects in the chimp house sometimes blows my mind. She's so fast and smart and knows just what to do to reach her end goal, and some projects that she finishes in a matter of minutes I couldn't do in an hour. Annie bumbling around with the tool at 40 years old... can you imagine for a minute that you are 40 years old and you have never, lets say, drank milk from a glass? You have no concept of holding a glass in your hand, the speed of pouring a liquid into your mouth, etc. The first few times you do it it's probably a disaster. Now imagine that all your other 40 year old friends have been doing this forever. I don't think Annie is quite that frustrated, but I'm sure at times watching Jamie maneuver a tool with such ease is a little intimidating. I'm so proud of all the things Annie is trying and accomplish and achieving, and I can't wait to see the things she does in the future. I truly wish her youth had been spent in the jungle with her family learning how to use tools, but we can't go back. We can only improve situations for chimps to come. 

Lars and I have made some big decisions for our future (NO WE ARE NOT PREGNANT CALM DOWN) that we will announce later. But I am so excited for what we are about to embark on. 

4 months to the day until #jorgensenwedding2015. I genuinely cannot believe how fast time moves. Raleigh is about to turn 3. Butters will be 4 in July. Lars will be 26. I'll be 24! (Not 25, even though I firmly believed I would be 25 the day before my wedding for months before Lars corrected my math.) Now more than ever I'm feeling especially aware of people around me and spending time with those I care about. Something I think we only do in situations of great tragedy or need. Not to say that's a bad thing, that's when you do really need people around you; but trying to be more aware of that on a daily basis can't be a bad. :)

More next week.
B