Like you cared.
In the past year I have--
Gotten married
Honeymooned
Presented research at a conference
Wrote my thesis
Visited my inlaws (how weird is that??[having inlaws, that is. I'M MARRIED NOW, and I love my inlaws])
Edited my thesis
Begged to be a TA
Won Outstanding TA of the Year, at both the department level and the college level
Gained too much weight
Admitted to myself and the world that I'm actually not all that into skiing
Said goodbye to too many good friends (damn you, Houston!)
Watched a lot of TV
Have not read enough books
Became a yelper?
Edited my thesis
Taught 47 students how to field map
Halfheartedly tried to to stop a structure being built on campus
Bought tickets to Europe on a whim
Defended my thesis
Graduated (well, walked)
Changed my last name on nearly everything
Applied for a half-dozen jobs (and counting)
Continued to edit my thesis
Got bangs
It's been a productive year.
You're probably wondering why I decided to come back after such a long absense. Well, to tell you the truth, I don't know. Part of me wants to write. Part of me only writes when I'm bored. I don't have a lot to say, but I love to read, so sometimes I feel like I should be doing the other half as well. We'll see what comes of this.
Right this second I'm sitting at my desk at school, the desk that I'll be kicked out of any day now because technically I graduated and I don't belong here anymore, and I'm applying to jobs. There are lots of jobs all over the country that I am mostly (if not fully!) qualified for. Plans fell through on Tommy's end, so now we're just getting ready to move on a moment's notice as long as I get a job. For once, I'm really really excited to be facing the unknown.
Showing posts with label Geology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Geology. Show all posts
May 9, 2013
April 22, 2012
Another Sunday at school...
Welp, here I am. I've been working foooooooor 15 days straight now. WOW. Granted, a few of those days were spent grading at home, and at least one of them was spent cleaning my parents' house. But I haven't had a day off in soooooooo long.
I have a huge presentation tomorrow. It's like, soooo big you guys. It's my results meeting. This is when my committee gets their first chance of ripping me a new arse hole. And I have to take it. And they may even tell me my results are worthless (which, the more I practice this presentation, the more I think they might be). And then what will I do? Also, there's a chance that one committee member won't let me defend in June anyway. Not because of worthless results (though, like I said, there's a chance), but because she may or may not be here. And she won't give me an answer. And I really need to know. Ughhh.
So I've been at school trying to get this presentation done, and grading done, so on Monday I can have some semblance of a "weekend". Though it really won't be a weekend. It will be more of a take-some-time-for yourself-because-you-haven't-in FIFTEEN-DAYS afternoon. And that will feel really nice. I'm going to work out (because I haven't in a week...so much for routine...), I'm going to register for more stuff, and I'll probably spring clean and watch bad tv and go to bed early. YAY I can't wait for this meeting to be over!
And then, after Monday, it's back to the grindstone. Full freaking force people. (But I do hope I'll find time to workout). See, if I want to defend in June, which is like, two months away, I need to write my entire thesis. But see, I'm going to HAWAII in a few weeks. And sure, I'll bring my laptop, but what good is that really going to do, really? Yeah......
Also, for the record, I'm not complaining. I see a light at the end of the tunnel! For the first time! And yeah, it's only a pin prick, and sometimes it seems to flicker, and it definitely does not seem to be getting any bigger, but it's there. And that's great. I'm really excited for the summer. Lots of great things ahead.
I have a huge presentation tomorrow. It's like, soooo big you guys. It's my results meeting. This is when my committee gets their first chance of ripping me a new arse hole. And I have to take it. And they may even tell me my results are worthless (which, the more I practice this presentation, the more I think they might be). And then what will I do? Also, there's a chance that one committee member won't let me defend in June anyway. Not because of worthless results (though, like I said, there's a chance), but because she may or may not be here. And she won't give me an answer. And I really need to know. Ughhh.
So I've been at school trying to get this presentation done, and grading done, so on Monday I can have some semblance of a "weekend". Though it really won't be a weekend. It will be more of a take-some-time-for yourself-because-you-haven't-in FIFTEEN-DAYS afternoon. And that will feel really nice. I'm going to work out (because I haven't in a week...so much for routine...), I'm going to register for more stuff, and I'll probably spring clean and watch bad tv and go to bed early. YAY I can't wait for this meeting to be over!
And then, after Monday, it's back to the grindstone. Full freaking force people. (But I do hope I'll find time to workout). See, if I want to defend in June, which is like, two months away, I need to write my entire thesis. But see, I'm going to HAWAII in a few weeks. And sure, I'll bring my laptop, but what good is that really going to do, really? Yeah......
Also, for the record, I'm not complaining. I see a light at the end of the tunnel! For the first time! And yeah, it's only a pin prick, and sometimes it seems to flicker, and it definitely does not seem to be getting any bigger, but it's there. And that's great. I'm really excited for the summer. Lots of great things ahead.
February 9, 2012
On geology
Ok so I consumed caffeine this morning for the first time in a long time, and I am WIRED. I already finished grading papers, did one run-through of my presentation, and have read a zillion articles and blogs, all in 2 1/2 hours. That's a record for me [that's also why I weaned myself off of caffeine--now when I need it, it really REALLY works]. And right now I just feel like I need to write. It's a weird feeling, but if I don't I might EXPLODE!!!!!!!!
Anyway, I was in the structure lab this morning and something caught my eye. It was a hand-written note on the white board by one of the undergrads who also uses the lab. It said:
That's it. But reading it brought back some strong (albeit weird) emotions. Mostly from my undergrad. When I really really loved geology. Like, I loved it a lot. I loved learning about it, I loved telling people about it, I loved field trips, I loved fantasizing about grad school and my life as a Geo professor. I just loved it. I loved how it made sense. How it combined my love for the outdoors with my desire to learn. I loved that it encompassed everything from volcanoes to landslides to glaciers to diamonds. I just found it so loveable.
But reading that thing on the board reminded me that I no longer have that passion. And before you stop reading because you think this is going to digress into a "woe is me, I should have done something different, my life sucks and I'm only in my twenties, I'll never find a career" don't. Because it won't. Don't get me wrong I have those thoughts all the time, but there's still a glimmer of hope. And sometimes I need to remind myself of that.
Like when I go out into the field with the class I TA for. I love showing those kids how to map and I love learning more about the Wasatch Mountains. Those four hours on a Friday are some of my best all week.
Or when I'm making maps with Ron. Granted, it just started, but yesterday I had so. much. fun. doing it. Really!
Or when I'm hanging out with professionals that have cool jobs. It reminds me that there will be something out there for me that doesn't revolve around oil or academia.
But a lot of times I forget about that glimmer, and I get down on myself and I wonder what happened? What happened to the passion and the desire to learn as much as I could? I come to school each day now because I have to, not because I want to. I get all sorts of anxiety thinking about a future career. I ask myself pointless questions such as why I didn't become a doctor or a journalist?
But I guess I just need to remember those glimmers. They're there. And I still love geology. It's just not as strong or in my face as it was when I was an undergrad. I know this is sort of a pointless post, but I just needed to air it out. That's how I get through things. So, sorry if you feel like you've wasted your time. I just re-read it and realized I solved my own problem, but I guess that's why I write, you know? It's my own form of therapy.
Anyway, I was in the structure lab this morning and something caught my eye. It was a hand-written note on the white board by one of the undergrads who also uses the lab. It said:
I love rocks, chocolate and Katie
That's it. But reading it brought back some strong (albeit weird) emotions. Mostly from my undergrad. When I really really loved geology. Like, I loved it a lot. I loved learning about it, I loved telling people about it, I loved field trips, I loved fantasizing about grad school and my life as a Geo professor. I just loved it. I loved how it made sense. How it combined my love for the outdoors with my desire to learn. I loved that it encompassed everything from volcanoes to landslides to glaciers to diamonds. I just found it so loveable.
But reading that thing on the board reminded me that I no longer have that passion. And before you stop reading because you think this is going to digress into a "woe is me, I should have done something different, my life sucks and I'm only in my twenties, I'll never find a career" don't. Because it won't. Don't get me wrong I have those thoughts all the time, but there's still a glimmer of hope. And sometimes I need to remind myself of that.
Like when I go out into the field with the class I TA for. I love showing those kids how to map and I love learning more about the Wasatch Mountains. Those four hours on a Friday are some of my best all week.
Or when I'm making maps with Ron. Granted, it just started, but yesterday I had so. much. fun. doing it. Really!
Or when I'm hanging out with professionals that have cool jobs. It reminds me that there will be something out there for me that doesn't revolve around oil or academia.
But a lot of times I forget about that glimmer, and I get down on myself and I wonder what happened? What happened to the passion and the desire to learn as much as I could? I come to school each day now because I have to, not because I want to. I get all sorts of anxiety thinking about a future career. I ask myself pointless questions such as why I didn't become a doctor or a journalist?
But I guess I just need to remember those glimmers. They're there. And I still love geology. It's just not as strong or in my face as it was when I was an undergrad. I know this is sort of a pointless post, but I just needed to air it out. That's how I get through things. So, sorry if you feel like you've wasted your time. I just re-read it and realized I solved my own problem, but I guess that's why I write, you know? It's my own form of therapy.
March 31, 2010
Pro/Con
When it comes to picking a graduate school, what is more important? Specific program, or everything else?
Will I hate living in Salt Lake?
Will I regret not being with him [I don't want this to be a factor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]?
Is the money worth it?
Do I risk being at a computer instead of in the field because it's "cutting edge"?
Is one peer better than three?
Am I being too impulsive?
Have I already made up my mind, but pretending I didn't for the sake of argument?
[The scary part is, I think the last one is true...]
PS: Type Tony Bennett & The Count Basie Band into your pandora and fall in love.
Will I hate living in Salt Lake?
Will I regret not being with him [I don't want this to be a factor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]?
Is the money worth it?
Do I risk being at a computer instead of in the field because it's "cutting edge"?
Is one peer better than three?
Am I being too impulsive?
Have I already made up my mind, but pretending I didn't for the sake of argument?
[The scary part is, I think the last one is true...]
PS: Type Tony Bennett & The Count Basie Band into your pandora and fall in love.
March 19, 2010
1 day. 3 hours. 12 minutes.
...until he gets here. And it couldn't be going by any slower. I guess it's time to make a list of things I need to do, because it seems that whenever I make a list of things to do, I don't EVER have enough time to do them all. Perhaps it will help make time fly...
- 9:10-11:45
- Finish this blog
- Chemistry lab write-up
- Volcanology lab
- Hand in Earth History lab
- If time: chemistry practice problems/review for test
- 11:45-12:50
- Chemistry lecture
- 12:50-1:35
- Get lunch
- Eat lunch
- Work on Volcanology lab
- 1:35-7:00
- Finish/hand in Volcanology lab
- Chemistry practice problems??
- Clean house
- Laundry
- Dishes
- Bathroom
- My room
- Nap??
- Dinner
- 7:00-12:30
- WORKKKK
- 12:30-9:00
- Sleep
- 9:00-11:50
- Clean more house
- Wash couch covers
- Wash floor
- Any dishes left over?
- Pick up living room
- Wash sheets
- Pick up bed room
- 11:50
- LEAVE TO GO PICK HIM UP!
November 10, 2009
Can't grades just speak for themselves?
If my whole life wasn't depending on it, my personal statement would look something like this (keep in mind, they all pretty much ask the same thing...but they want it in essay form):
1. Future plans in geology: Hike around in the desert and mountains (ie, the American West) and come up with interesting theories as to why they are the way they are. Oh, and never work behind a desk unless it comes with a professor-ship at a neat school. And is made of some sort of dark wood. And it sits in a room full of books, geologic and otherwise. And I teach young, eager minds. Either or is fine by me. Otherwise I'm not going to work ever.
2. Why you want to pursue a Masters Degree(at this school): So that I can do the above, plus your school is located in a small town close to my home surrounded by sweet geology.
3. What specifically you would like to research: Structure...I like mountains.
4. Overall preparation to enter your chosen field: Probably not quite enough but brimming with enthusiasm!
5. Special interests: Being outside and good food...are we done yet?
Alas, tis not. And all the time I've wasted on the internet in the past hour or so probably would have been better spent phrasing the above in a very poetic, appealing, and much more serious way. Unfortunately, I lack productivity at the moment...
1. Future plans in geology: Hike around in the desert and mountains (ie, the American West) and come up with interesting theories as to why they are the way they are. Oh, and never work behind a desk unless it comes with a professor-ship at a neat school. And is made of some sort of dark wood. And it sits in a room full of books, geologic and otherwise. And I teach young, eager minds. Either or is fine by me. Otherwise I'm not going to work ever.
2. Why you want to pursue a Masters Degree(at this school): So that I can do the above, plus your school is located in a small town close to my home surrounded by sweet geology.
3. What specifically you would like to research: Structure...I like mountains.
4. Overall preparation to enter your chosen field: Probably not quite enough but brimming with enthusiasm!
5. Special interests: Being outside and good food...are we done yet?
Alas, tis not. And all the time I've wasted on the internet in the past hour or so probably would have been better spent phrasing the above in a very poetic, appealing, and much more serious way. Unfortunately, I lack productivity at the moment...
September 20, 2009
Paleotempestology:
The study of prehistoric storms from geological and biological evidence.
Who knew?
Who knew?
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