FEBRUARY 2024

Second blog of 2024 – let’s stay bold.

SONG INSPIRATION

This month’s blog is inspired by Nicki Minaj’s FTCU from Pink Friday 2.

CITIES ON VOLCANOES 12 – ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA

This weekend I’m traveling to the 12^th Cities on Volcanoes (COV12) conference in Antigua, Guatemala.  COV is a conference held every 2 years that’s dedicated to volcanoes – their geology, interaction with society, cultural significance, etc.  This will be my first time attending COV and I’m excited to check the vibe.  I have a poster presentation and I’m hoping to make connections with other early career professionals.  Even more so, I’m excited to visit and explore a new country and its culture.  I’ve heard wonderful tales of Antigua and the landscape looks breathtaking.  Plus, I think a week of sun and warmth (80 F vs 30 F) will boost my dopamine just in time for the start of the semester.

SPRING 2024

Our semester starts next week (gotta love winter break and J-term) and I have to admit I’m still not fully recovered from last year’s severe burnout.  That said, I have revamped my upcoming course and hired a TA.  I’m excited to get back in the classroom and interact with fresh faces and curious minds.  I’ve also taken some actionable steps to better manage my time and energy.  Admittedly, it’s difficult to stay in balance when you’re a postdoc – an inherently ephemeral position – and you aren’t sure where you’re going to live in 10 months.  Doesn’t make it any easier when you have workaholic tendencies.  Nevertheless, I’m deliberately avoiding exerting myself as much as I did in the Fall.  I do have a number of responsibilities to attend to – research advising, manuscript and grant writing, and departmental duties.  Not to mention finding my next job!  I’ll get it done, but I’ll pace myself.

BURNED & JADED

Burnout is just the body’s way of telling us that we need to slow down.  I know that logically, but it doesn’t feel any easier in the moment.  Something else has started to nag at me too.  I’m jaded.  I thought this might occur in another 10 years – the stereotypical post-tenure professor whose lost all faith in the world after being ground down by the system.  Perhaps it’s just the state of the world – a failing environment, rising fascism, and late-stage capitalism.  Or maybe this is part of the unsettledness that comes with being a postdoc combined with the relentless push of academia to produce and jump through hierarchal hoop after hoop.  I’m sure it’s everything everywhere all at once.  I find myself these days reflecting, journaling, and re-prioritizing my life.  All of this is critical to maintaining a healthy work-life balance especially when I start my next position.  I know I tend to overthink and overwork, but I’m hoping to find better strategies to cope.

CURRENT BOOKS AND SHOWS

Recently watched:  The Morning Show (s1)

Currently watching:  Cells at Work:  Code Black; The Floor; The Morning Show (s2)

Recently read:  Aurora

Currently reading:  A Modern History of Japan; Existential Kink; The Housekeeper and the Professor

Thank you for reading!  My next blog is scheduled for Thursday, March 7^th.  Until next time….