Guest Post - A Crossroads and a Recap

So I have been very busy since I finished my comps exam. Two things that I have really enjoyed about graduate school is my research and my outreach.

My favorite outreach activity was visiting Para Los Ninos. This is a science and literature charter school in downtown Los Angeles that serves orphans and children below the poverty line. They were the brightest and most engaging children I have ever meet. I hope to work with this school much more in the future.



Another outreach event involved over 100 eighth graders coming to campus for astronomy activities and Planetarium shows. I learned that middle school teachers are saints, and teenagers are awful.


This week I helped install the detector head in the MOSFIRE instrument that I have been working on. The instrument is like a giant (the size of a car) camera that will be installed at 14,000ft on one of the largest telescopes in the world, Keck. The detector head is the most expensive part, ~$500,000, and I spent the last year testing it before delivery.


So, in the last year I got my Masters degree, helped build a $15 million instrument, taught a bunch of classes, and started the UCLA Astronomy outreach group. With much of these things coming to an end I am left in a bit of an identity crisis. I think it is the same kind of thing that Janet has been going through for the past year.

I know that I will have lots more work to get my Ph.D., and that Janet has a lot of work to do to become a nurse, but I think that we stand at the greatest crossroads in our life. Here at 25 years of age we have done so much, plan to do more, and want to do even more. The best part is that when faced with these life changing moments, we grow closer together.

Escape!

This weekend Greg decided that I needed to get out of the house.

He had a trip planned with a bunch of his co-workers, and I was not sure that I would have the time to go, so he decided for me. We loaded our camping gear into the car and off we went for an overnight trip to Joshua Tree.

Needless to say it was exactly what the doctor ordered and even though I had to work super hard on Sunday to catch myself back up for Monday, it was well worth it. Here are some pictures from our trip!

First thing we decided to do, was climb the rocks...because you just have to!


Pretend that it was safe...


Half way point!
(Greg and me with Michelle)


First one to the top!


Second one to the top!
(Greg)...just letting you know since he is little.

Good Morning!

No idea what kind of flower this is, but we liked it!

Greg and Ian walking through the desert.

Our campsite!
PS: The rocks in the background are what we climbed...now are you impressed?

Greg impressed everyone with his Horny Toad catching skills!

Joshua Tree was in full bloom...beautiful!


I found a whole bunch of rusted out old cars in the desert, so fun!


Don't you just love the wild west?...Wait does that say 1943?!


Wall Street Stamp Mill

Happening...

This year has been rough. A wonderful instructor/mentor/friend of mine said it best, "soul tired." Yup, that is where I am at, I am "soul tired." This year has brought so much change to my life. When I say life, I am using it in the most broad sense of the word. Change from the tip-top of my head, down to my abnormally small pinky toe. Change has given me so many gifts, a cornucopia of emotions and thoughts, and a beautiful sense of self doubt. I say beautiful even thought I really hate it, because it must be necessary otherwise I wouldn't be feeling it, right?

Anyway, tonight I got the overwhelming urge to read a Dr. Seuss book. I love Dr. Seuss, and I love to read, but I cannot remember a time when I needed to read this book. The book is Oh, the Places You'll Go! Nothing against the book, I just never got it. Well tonight I got it. It was one quote "And when things start to happen, don't worry. Don't stew. Just go right along. You'll start happening too."

The reason I am "soul tired," is because I am "happening!"

I'll be seeing you...

Last week was spring break for me. I spent the week doing homework so that on Friday, I could take a flight to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to spend time with my family and put my Grandfather to rest next to my Grandma Emma. It was a really short trip, yet so very special. I was able to see where my dad grew up, and I ultimately fell in love with the city. Here are some pictures from my trip.

Grandpa during WWII

The Original Oyster House. My Grandpa would bring my dad here for a fish sandwich and fresh buttermilk when he was a kid. It was pretty good eatin'!


Looking for the great grandparents, we found them...eventually!



The house that my dad grew up in. The lady that lived here let us all come in for a tour. So fun!


All of us out to dinner. From left to right Katie (big sister), Robbie (big brother), Bette (little sister), Aunt Ninny (Dad's little sister), Dad (Dad)...I am the one taking the picture.


The Duquesne Incline, amazing views of Pittsburgh!

Robbie, at the incline.

Me, getting ready to head back up the incline...Pretty sure I was the only one in Pittsburgh wearing flip-flops...considering the fact that it was snowing!

View of Pittsburgh from the incline.

Getting Old...

For the last seven months I have had the pleasure of hearing how "old" I am. Today, my husband gets to join me in being "old!"
Happy Birthday Greg, I love you!!!!

Road Trip!

Since Greg and I have not had a lot of time to spend together in the last few years, we decided that the weekend after he earned his masters degree was the perfect time to take a road trip north. While the trip was just overnight we had a blast. We went to one of our secret spots (I like to pretend it is secret...it really isn't.) We went back to Moonstone Beach. We had an amazing time, and we took the long way to get there which was incredible. There is so much to see out there and let me tell you. California does have some truly beautiful sights. Here are some pictures from our trip...

Central Park in Filmore CA


Best baked goods ever!


Along the way...


Greg and I


Again...Along the way


I love finding moonstones!


Sea urchin living among the moonstones.

If you look at the surf closely you can see the moonstones hopping in the waves!


The boardwalk...


Moonstone Beach


Close up of the moonstones.


Andersen's Pea Soup

Spot the Difference....

Can you spot the difference between this guy.....

And this guy?

If you guessed the bottom guy just earned a Master's Degree, you would be correct!

Greg, you met the challenge with determination, strength, and confidence!
CONGRATULATIONS YOU EARNED IT!!!!!!!!!!