JANUARY 2024

Another month. Another year. Rinse. Repeat. Renewal. SONG INSPRATION Ali Bomaye by The Game feat. 2 Chainz & Rick Ross JAPAN 4.0 I completed my 4th adventure in Japan. This was my favorite visit. I finally visited Akihabara, Harajuku, Roppongi, and Ikebukuro in Tokyo. I nerded out in game and anime shops, rode the trains/subways […]

DECEMBER 2023

Fall semester 2023 has ended. It was a rough semester, but now it’s time to recharge and reprioritize. SONG INSPIRATION On My Mama (single) by Victoria Monet END OF THE SEMESTER Despite a difficult semester marred by tragedies near and far, I am forced to reflect on my achievements. This isn’t toxic positivity, but rather […]

NOVEMBER 2023

Wow – November, like October, is SPRINTING! SONG INSPIRATION This month’s blog was inspired by Janelle Monet’s “Haute”. WRITING UPDATE As promised, I finished my second novel (let’s call it novel 2) about three weeks ago! After a decade of world building, character development, graduate school delays, and mental blocks, I’ve completed my sci-fi duology. […]

OCTOBER 2023

Writing this blog from a hotel room in Pittsburgh because conference. Let’s dive in! SONG INSPIRATION This month’s blog is inspired by Doja Cat’s “Agora Hills” from her album, Scarlet. GSA CONNECTS 2023 I gave my first talk(s) at a professional conference! Previously, I had only presented posters and attended short workshops. Now that I […]

SEPTEMBER 2023

And we’re off! The semester is in full swing and there are grants, lectures, and students GALORE! Let’s dive into it. SONG INSPIRATION This month’s blog is inspired by a total vibe – Fujii Kaze’s “Workin’ Hard” FALL 2023 This semester is off to an ankle breaking start! I’m teaching my first upper-level volcanology course. […]

AUGUST 2023

SONG INSPIRATION This month’s blog is inspired by Doja Cat’s single, Paint the Town Red. ARIZONA The feeling of home I cultivated while residing in Arizona for a decade has vanished. What remains is an angst of the unsettled – typical of the postdoc experience. Nowadays, Arizona feels like a vacation destination. I recently popped […]

JULY 2023

A sense of urgency is just a capitalistic construct, so take your time and read this at your leisure. SONG INSPIRATION This month’s blog is inspired by Silk & Cologne by EI8HT & Offset from the Metro Boomin Across the Spiderverse soundtrack. SUMMER UPDATE It’s hot. In land, air, and sea. Heat domes. Wildfires. Boiling […]

JUNE 2023 PART II

SONG INSPIRATION This month’s second blog was inspired by ‘Annihilate’ from the Across the Spiderverse Metroboomin’ soundtrack. THE QUEEN’S RETURN Four weeks ago, I hosted my mom in an emerging annual tradition. It was a trip of firsts for her. First time in New England, crossing an international border/leaving the country, visiting Canada, exploring a […]

JUNE 2023 PART I

Behold – we have once again entered a fabled month of two blogs. Mayhaps this one is short and sweet. SONG INSPIRATION The first blog of this month is inspired by a throwback track from Cherish, ‘Do It To It’. FIRST SEMESTER DOWN I’ve completed my first semester of teaching my first course at a […]

MAY 2023

SONG INSPIRATION This month’s blog is inspired by Aysia Berlynn’s Manifesting. THE BLOG PROCESS Thank you for another reader suggested topic – the blog process and how it affects me! This topic forced me to reflect on the history of my blog, why I do it, and my vision for this site. I’ve produced monthly […]