Tuesday, May 20, 2014

California: Here I Come (2 Weeks Until Jamboree 2014)

Two weeks from today - I'll be in California.  Last week I talked about the process of actually getting there.  Well, there is a lot of work to do here first.

I have printed off new "business" cards, to share with new friends.  And I put surnames on the back.  Hopefully, I'll run into some cousins and we can work together on some of these problems.  Son and daughter-in-law know that we'll be arriving in Anza on Tuesday, the 2nd, but that Walt will drive me to Burbank on Wednesday.  But then, after Jamboree, we'll have more time to visit and watch the last week of youth baseball. 

I still need to do all of the usual things like stopping the newspaper, scheduling the mail vacation hold, etc.  BUT, more importantly in my mind right now, is getting up to speed on my DNA stuff.  And, oh, do I need help!!!

Last year I attended the DNA day.  I was overwhelmed.  Well, this year I'm a little better prepared.  I've sent in all of the DNA tests and received some of the results.  But I'm very confused about what they are and what to do with them.  So, I'm getting them ready.

I bought or borrowed many of the books regarding DNA that were on last years SCGS Jamboree DNA Day syllabus, and I've been reading them.  Some are fairly straightforward.  Some are still very much over-my-head.  I'm also fortunate to be going to GRIP and I am in the DNA Course there.  So, I have the recommended books for GRIP and I'm trying to read them.  Again, some are fairly easy and entertaining; some are a real challenge.  Anyway, I'm preparing and I know I have two weeks to read/skim them, write down questions, get my DNA numbers organized so that I can, hopefully, understand how to make comparisons before the end of Thursday, June 5.

As I said, there is a lot of work to do here before I leave, but most of it is my preparation for DNA day.  I hope to see you there.  And perhaps we'll find out that we're cousins.