AUGUST 2019 – PART I

A lot has happened in the last month.  If it’s any indication of what’s to come, there will be loads to report in the near future.

 

 

SONG INSPIRATION

This blog was inspired by Talk by Khalid.  I love this song.

 

 

NINTH MARS / PASADENA / LOS ANGELES

Last week I traveled to California for the Ninth International Mars Conference hosted by Caltech.  There have only been 9 since 1973, because the conference occurs every ~2–10 years depending on the state of Mars exploration.  The goal of the conference is to get the major players in Mars science under one roof.  This effort embodies multiple disciplines and many young career scientists.  It’s an exciting atmosphere, but one I may miss as my career trajectory deviates from that of my cohort.  I last attended the conference in 2014 (at which time it was the Eighth International Mars Conference).

 

An added benefit of attending the conference was the opportunity to spend quality time with friends – old and new – and enjoy some of the local attractions.  The food was BOMB.  I enjoyed fantastic Korean BBQ, authentic Japanese cuisine, and a tasty home-cooked meal.  I visited the Griffith Observatory where I enjoyed a stunning view of the Los Angeles metropolis and the neighboring Hollywood sign.  The social game was strong too.  I had so much fun catching up with friends, reminiscing about Japan, video games, Game of Thrones, etc.  What I did NOT enjoy was the insanely, post-apocalyptic Los Angeles traffic.  The drivers were aggressive and the freeways reminded me of Mad Max.  That killed any interest in living in LA; however, that doesn’t include the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.  I’m looking at you, Pasadena!

 

 

VEGAS – AGAIN

If you’re reading this, it’s too late.  I’m either on my way or already in Sin City.  After 4 months, I finally have the opportunity to return to Las Vegas.  Yeah, it’s only been a week since I returned from Cali, but I’m thrilled.  This will represent my last trip – the last vacation – until Thanksgiving.  Also, it effectively ends the summer for me and begins the fall semester.  Once I return, I’ll have to grind hard until Winter Break.  But more on that in the next section.  Right now, it’s all about shopping / eating / drinking / gallivanting / etc.  I have four days to relax and let go of my inhibitions.  Travelling to different places – even a destination pleasure city like Vegas – always lights an inspirational fire within me.  This could be just the trip I need to propel me over the hump this semester.

 

 

FALL 2019 – TECHNICAL REVIEW & APPS

I got beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes – wait.  Wrong.  I got posters, power points, conferences, meetings, etc.  This fall will be my busiest since my oral exams.  However, this time I’m not overwhelmed with nerve-rattling anxiety.  I’m actually hopeful and excited about the future.  I have a few major events on my plate this semester:  two conferences; job applications; and my technical review.

 

Yes, I have officially scheduled my technical review for early October.  In our department, this is the gateway to your defense.  It’s a closed meeting with your committee in which they evaluate the progress you’ve made on your dissertation and determine whether or not you’ve completed enough work (i.e. have your necessary results & conclusions) to recommend your defense within the following 12 months.  Scheduling my technical review gives me a major deadline.  It also means that after the Vegas trip I’ll have 2 months to prepare.  During which time I’ll also have to prepare a poster presentation for GSA.  Needless to say, time will fly.  I know it.  Once my tech review is completed (and depending on my committee’s recommendation), I can begin the application process for jobs/post-docs/fellowships/etc.

 

My tech review will set the stage for the application process.  Many of the programs and positions I’m considering at the moment have November – December deadlines, with start dates for the following summer and fall.  Thus, I’ll likely spend the month after my tech review submitting applications en masse.  Afterwards, I’ll prepare for a trip to San Francisco to present at AGU – an enormous, annual conference.  Even with all of that, I’m expecting to work hours similar to those over the summer and perhaps decrease the amount of days I spend on campus per week.  I’m actively working to reduce my number of commitments in order to focus on my last year.

 

 

CURRENT SHOWS

Recently finished:  Chernobyl; Lucifer (s4); Madam Secretary (s5); Stranger Things (s3)

Currently watching:  Dark (s2); Killing Eve (s2); Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (s8)

 

 

Thank you for reading!  Like, share, comment, etc.  My next blog is scheduled for Thursday, August 29^th.  Until next time….