IPB

( Log In ) Log In is for TREC Teachers & Researchers only

 
Reply to this topicStart new topic
> April 24, 2006 - Initial Reflections, From Fairbanks, AK
Misty_Nikula_Ohlsen
post Apr 25 2006, 03:50 AM
Post #1


Advanced Member
***

Group: TREC Team
Posts: 134
Joined: 18-April 06
Member No.: 31



Hello and welcome to my online Journal!

This has been such a whirlwind week for me. Last weekend, I was unexpected asked by Wendy Warnick of ARCUS to be a last minute fill in for this project. After my TREC experience two summers ago, I never thought that I would have a another chance to participate in such a fulfilling and profound project as the TREC program.

(See the Journal of my first TREC experience in Barrow, Alaska)

So in the last week, I have accepted the appointment and traded most of my summer for Russia! I will be spending close to 7 weeks away from home, mostly on ship and on the shores of these isolated islands north of Japan. The Kuril Islands are directly across the Pacific Ocean from my home state of Washington, but at the same time they are a world away.

IPB Image
The Kuril Islands -- across the Pacific Ocean from Washington State

IPB Image
A close up of the Kuril Islands - My research group will be traveling the full length of the island chain

I have only had a chance to briefly tell my friends, family and students about my upcoming expedition, partly because there is still so much that I don't know -- what will it be like being away for so long? Will I be able to figure out my satellite phone while I am in the field? Will all of the other scientists be as open, friendly and enthusiastic as Ben and Jody have been? Will I live up to the expectations of a second-time TREC teacher?

Over the next few months, as I prepare for my journey, I hope to post more background information on the project that we will be doing, the science preparations and types of studies that will be happening and the things that I am doing in my classroom and community to prepare. I also hope to learn more about the Kuril Islands themselves and will fill you in on my discoveries as I research some of the history, geology and the native peoples that live there. I have found out about my trip rather suddenly, but I do have SOME time to prepare and plan to use it wisely!

I cannot sign off tonight without telling you that I am thankful for my husband, Ramond, who is extremely supportive and it is much to him that I owe this opportunity. Without his willingness to "pick up the slack" at home, I would be unable to take part in this adventure. He truly is the world's best husband! biggrin.gif
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post

Reply to this topicStart new topic
2 User(s) are reading this topic (2 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 



- NSF Acknowledgment & Disclaimer Time is now: 28th March 2024 - 02:41 PM