katerific

2012 was a HUGE learning year for me! I look forward to new beginnings in 2013!

My 2012 was not bad. I passed my prelim, went skydiving, and completed my first half-marathon. Compared to years before (2010-2011), 2012 treated me nicely. 
 
I can't say if I like Gangnam style that much.. Well, it's a good catchy tune to listen to when you are sitting in the traffic. 

dudes, check out the beard on this monkey.

dudes, check out the beard on this monkey.

And so it begins: I traveled in a carpool to the Bay Area today, with others from my program. Someone had the "Symphony of Science" album and we had a sing-along. (For the uninitiated, these are autotuned remixes of Carl Sagan, Jane Goodall, Bill Nye, David Attenborough, etc. See example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB7jSFeVz1U.) This was followed by a long discourse on the global outlook of nonrenewable energies, and perceptions of Homer-Dixon among political ecologists. At this point, my seatmate threw her jacket over her head and went to sleep.

LET THE NERDERY COMMENCE.

dudes, check out the beard on this monkey.

dudes, check out the beard on this monkey.

Although I AM eyeing the ivory tower, here are some dream occupations that I have seriously considered if things work don't work out.
Private investigator/detective
Shepherd
Absinthe-drinking artist/greeting card designer
Surveyor
Interior designer
Personal assistant

Last year, I did 7.

Pros: Lots of options. Room to explore. Good to have alternatives and keep options open. Met a lot of awesome scientists.
Cons: Expensive. Time consuming. Rampant disappointment and unbridled self-loathing (note: I suck and so did my apps, so results may vary).

dudes, check out the beard on this monkey.

I'm going. Last year (when I was applying) I met a few profs. I recommend emailing them ASAP to see if you can meet with them. It's okay to just go up to them when you see them, but oftentimes they'll be distracted with other hotshots. Make sure to tell them your name, school, etc, and give them a brief overview of your background. Also make sure to indicate what sorts of things you're interested, and ask about their labs and such. If you just walk up to them, prepare to be very concise (~5 min max). People are pretty laid back at AGU, so don't stress about it--I think the most important part is that you convey your interest and excitement.

Other random advice: take a notebook. Plan out your schedule beforehand, and prioritize. Bring running shoes so that you can easily dart between Moscone West (talks) and South (posters). (okay, that last part was a joke, but it's not a BAD idea...)

The underlined author should definitely be there. If they don't plan on it, they should have withdrawn their abstract (it's very bad form to say you'll present when you won't). I do know professors who register on-site. My advice is to email them, saying, "Hi prof so and so, I'm a prospective grad student, and I saw on the AGU site that you're presenting on x topic. I am excited to hear about this kind of stuff, and I would be very interested in meeting with you. You dig?" Obviously phrase it better, but yeah.

okay that was my late night ramble hopefully it helps whee

Two days before classes start, and I've already finished the lit review portion of my thesis! Maybe this summer wasn't a total bust after all. I am pleased.

I got rejected to all my schools the first time around and I cried my eyes out. But the second time around (this year) got accepted to 2 with one having a good package. Pain may come but joy comes tomorrow.

My commute during the summer:





My commute during the school year:

My commute during the summer:





My commute during the school year:

My commute during the summer:





My commute during the school year:

My commute during the summer:





My commute during the school year:

My commute during the summer:





My commute during the school year:

Do you know what I miss most about being in grad school...the 'back to school' shopping...I have no excuse to buy fresh new things

I am THRILLED for all the undergrads to be back.

I am THRILLED for all the undergrads to be back.

Last year, I did 7.

Pros: Lots of options. Room to explore. Good to have alternatives and keep options open. Met a lot of awesome scientists.
Cons: Expensive. Time consuming. Rampant disappointment and unbridled self-loathing (note: I suck and so did my apps, so results may vary).

How I look after I meet with my advisor on a Friday afternoon...

I actually watch more TV than I did as an undergrad. Granted, I used to never watch TV... but after using my brain for a bajillion hours straight, HELL YEAH I wanna watch some Hoarders. (That show in particular also helps motivate me to clean.)

I do a lot of labwork, and sometimes I have to sit around babysitting my cute little vials for a while. If it's not a demanding task, I will pop on Netflix and watch a disgusting amount of Pretty Little Liars.

I actually watch more TV than I did as an undergrad. Granted, I used to never watch TV... but after using my brain for a bajillion hours straight, HELL YEAH I wanna watch some Hoarders. (That show in particular also helps motivate me to clean.)

I do a lot of labwork, and sometimes I have to sit around babysitting my cute little vials for a while. If it's not a demanding task, I will pop on Netflix and watch a disgusting amount of Pretty Little Liars.