Help I am lost! I am not even sure what week I am supposed to be writing about. They all blend like colors in a hot washing machine. I am experiencing time at light speed. The first week of this program felt like a month and now weeks are passing by like a night's rest. Before the program began, I was presented with the opportunity to come alongside my mentor on a research cruise. In no way was I obliged to. Kelly said that some interns grow attached to their cohort and do not want to leave them for two weeks. At the time I thought about how silly it would be to pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity just to hang out with people you just met. Here I am- leaving to board the Sally Ride tomorrow, and I must say I carry a small somber weight on my shoulders. Although my peers may not reciprocate- I am sad to spend so much time away from them.
RESEARCH CRUISE UPDATE: I have been on the boat for a couple of days, and this is definitely a unique experience. I was worried the first couple of days, I felt very sick, and it felt like it would never end. After adjusting, I am feeling more able to focus on the work and procedures of this cruise. The environment created by the lovely scientist and mentors on this vessel has also allowed me to pursue my curiosity. I have gotten to see animals that I have only heard about in class, and I must say they are never the size I think they are going to be. I have been able to add more invertebrates to my library of knowledge and I could not be happier. I am happy I am not going anywhere if I want to continue with this project and work with Kelly more (if I can. I want to. That is a later discussion). Outside of the work schedule I’ve... 1. finally finished my book Filthy Animals by Brandon Taylor. PHENOMENAL writer from Iowa! Made me feel incredibly human. 2. Got stung by a Sea Nettle (Chrysaora fuscenscens) not fun but not as bad as had originally anticipated. 3. Found some adorable hydromedusae with perfect gumdrop bells and pink tentacles (Olindias sp.) Twilight Update: We have finished the entire Twilight Saga and I got the exact reaction I wanted out of Chloe.
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I have this knot of anxiety eating at my internal organs and it is nice. Sometimes this little knot is all I need to throw myself into the unknown. As much as I gripe and sulk, I find beauty and joy in discomfort. I am terrified all the time and it is a reminder how small I am on this blue marble dancing around in a great big universe. All right enough with the meta mumbo-jumbo....
Coming into this position I was greeted with the once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in a research cruise. This means we will be venturing out at sea collecting samples along set transects on a large vessel. And while I knew I couldn’t pass up this offer, I must say- I am scared. Not only am I a little fearful of the power of the ocean (she demands respect) but I fear that my lack of experience will hinder other scientists’ ability to do their jobs. Alas I am determined to make myself useful and gain as much knowledge from this experience as possible! As the research cruise grows near, Madison and I are pushing to collect the rest of our data. Every day we analyze video clips, export frames, measure anatomy, and record the data. I hope there is something that we can do or see in it considering the constant pivoting and backtracking to cover unseen bases. That being changing our species of interest (twice) or redoing video analysis correctly. There is this love-hate relationship I have with this work. I can easily find my rhythm in tedious tasks, (oddly enough) enjoy using Excel, and enjoy fixing problems. On the other hand, I am never truly satisfied with my work and insist on “fixing the problem” without 1. letting the small errors sink in and feeling it and 2. analyzing where the problem originated (gaps in knowledge? Technical issues involving equipment?). But here we are! We are doing what we can with what we have, and I am learning to be okay with it! With that said, I am thinking of reaching out to the professors here and asking if I can be in one of their labs this fall. I need more exposure to research. Apart from work. Chloe, Madison, and I are watching the Twilight Saga and I must say- I. Love. It. I love all unnecessary drama and fighting. I love the moody Pacific Northwest setting. And I am unconditionally and irrevocably in love with the soundtrack. Paramore, Bon Iver, Death cab for Cutie, Florence +The Machine- what more could I ask for! Take away... 1. Decisions are scary 2. I can do more than I think I can 3. The twilight saga has an AMAZING soundtrack 4. I am a little scared about 2 weeks at sea |
Randi NavarroHello-Hello! I am Randi Navarro. I am a marine biology major beginning my senior year at the University of Oregon. Although I was raised in the landlocked Midwest state of Iowa, the enchanting world of the underwater realm has always had a special place in my heart. I am excited to gain some confidence and insight of the world of research with the guidance of my mentors: Kelly Sutherland and Richard Emlet. I will (hopefully) be learning about the life history and kinematics of gelatinous zooplankton. ArchivesCategories |
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