Winging It in Oz
A Fulbright Scholar's Australian Adventures
Friday, May 27, 2016
New Blog for My Bat Work!
Hi again! It's been a REALLY long time since my last post to this blog. I wanted to update anyone who reads this that I now have a new blog, "Cross-Pollination", where I am writing about my PhD work with bat conservation in Mexico! I'm working with an endangered pollinating bat species, the Mexican long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) and using an integrative/interdisciplinary approach that addresses both the foraging ecology of the bats at agaves and the harvest and use of agaves by local communities and opportunities for incorporating bat conservation efforts in these communities. If you're interested, please take a look: www.crosspollinationphd.blogspot.com!
Sunday, February 24, 2013
It's a Busy Life
Life is staying busy! My job
is still going well. I did break my first piece of equipment (a pH meter probe)
but other than that there have been no other mishaps. My project is going well,
and Stephen and I are learning a lot about the product/process we’re
investigating. As I mentioned before I’m working on a green project. I can’t
talk about specifics (I feel like I’m in the CIA!) but in general terms I’m
helping to develop a method of producing one of Shepherd’s products in a more
“green” way that reduces waste and uses a cheap, green raw material. Right now
Stephen and I are working on small-scale batches in the lab, but the next goal
once we confirm the most efficient method is to trial the process in the pilot
plant. We have a process that looks like it is giving us the correct
specifications, but when we discussed how we’d scale up the process to the
pilot plant (where we’ll immensely increase the amount of product being
produced) we realized that we might not be able to control the reaction as
finely as we can in the lab. Going from the lab to the plant is such an
interesting thing to be a part of.
I’m also keeping busy by
getting involved in community activities. As I mentioned in my previous post,
I’ve been training at the Cincinnati Zoo to be a Volunteer Educator. I have
finished my training, so I’ll be starting to man the Educator carts on weekends
in April. Each cart is located near an exhibit/zone, such as the Night Hunters
exhibit or Jungle Trails. As a Volunteer Educator I will lead educational
activities related to the zone at the cart to help teach the visitors about the
animals in the exhibits. That will be very fun! I’m also going to start
volunteering with the domestic cat colony in the CREW (Center for Conservation
and Research of Endangered Wildlife) department at the zoo. I was really
excited to help out with lab research at CREW, but unfortunately they only work
Monday-Friday during work hours, and I work a full-time job. They will keep me
on the volunteer list for when they occasionally need weekend help, but in the
meantime I’ll help with the domestic cat colony, which houses cats that are
used to develop conservation techniques, such as in vitro fertilization, for
wild cat species. I will be helping with cleaning the rooms, litter boxes, food
bowls, etc. as well as socializing the cats. I look forward to getting started!
I’ve also joined the
Cincinnati Ohio Wesleyan Young Alumni group and will be helping to plan Young
Alumni events in the area. I’m excited to meet other OWU alumni in the area.
The final thing I’m getting involved in is a local gym. I joined FitWorks three
weeks ago, and have been going after work three to four times a week. I’m
determined to stick with it. I go to the group classes, like Zumba and
kickboxing, and also small group training sessions with a personal trainer.
It’s intense but that’s what I want! Here comes a new and improved me!
Several weekends ago I made
the drive up to Cleveland to visit my college
friend, Meredith, who was back in the States from Guam
for a week for grad school interviews. Before I go any further, congratulations
are in order for Meredith: she got into her top choice of University of Minnesota!
Awesome job Meredith! I hadn’t seen her in almost two years, so I was beyond
excited. While I could only see her for one night (I went up Friday after work
and she was flying back to Guam on Saturday
morning) it was of course well worth the drive. While we are two years older,
nothing really had changed. We were still the good college friends we’ve always
been, except with different stories and problems than back at school. I can’t
even express how great it was to catch up. I took Meredith to the airport
Saturday morning, which was a hard thing to do. I was fine until I was watching
her walk away through security. I then realized I wouldn’t see her for probably
another six months or more. I just have to remember that there’s always Skype!
On my way home from Cleveland I stopped in Delaware to visit my OWU advisor, Jed Burtt,
and a good friend, Joe. I also took time to walk around campus and I admit I
had a yearning to be back in college. While some things had changed (there’s a
new fountain on the JayWalk, one of the dorms has been completely remodeled,
etc.) it still smelled and felt the same. The Science
Center stairwell still had that odd
musty(?) smell that reminded me of so many Vertebrate Anatomy, Organic
Chemistry, and Ornithology labs; I could still imagine myself getting lunch in
Ham-Wil; and I could envision myself walking back from class in the Science Center to my dorm to take a mid-day nap.
I really do miss college life. I miss the environment in which you’re
constantly surrounded by people your own age. I think that’s the thing I miss
most, besides the academic/learning environment. It makes me realize just how
much I look forward to starting grad school next fall...
The new fountain on the JayWalk.
A bat decal in the Science Center stairwell!
Saying goodbye to Meredith at the airport. :(
My other exciting news is
that I’m planning to attend the 16th International Bat Research
Conference/43rd North American Symposium on Bat Research in Costa Rica in
August, which will be the largest bat conference since the last joint meeting.
I haven’t registered yet, but I’m saving up to go. It will be a perfect
opportunity for me to present my Australia Fulbright research and also meet
potential grad school supervisors, and of course have fun catching some
tropical bat species! I also need a new laptop, but I’m putting that off to
save up for the conference. A girl’s gotta have her priorities!
My first hockey game ever! And we (the Cyclones) won. Yay! (Yes, the ice is pink to honor breast cancer survivors).
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Growing Up
I’m settling well into my new job at The Shepherd Chemical Company in Cincinnati. Despite the fact that it’s chemistry, I’m enjoying it remarkably well! I think that’s because it’s a very stimulating job where I’m never bored. The two aspects of my job are chemical inventory of the R&D lab and working to improve a “green” process for making an ingredient in a personal care product on the market. Last week (my third week) I felt SO overwhelmed with everything. There was so much new information to learn, like the chemistry I’d be doing, the instruments we have (some of which I have used before in chemistry lab several years ago, such as the FTIR and NMR, and some of which I have never used or heard of, such as XRD, TGA, and PSD, just to name a few), lab procedures, locations of things in the lab, etc. I also watched my supervisor, Stephen, do some really cool computer tricks/shortcuts that I probably should know but don’t. He said not to worry and that he learned all those things after years of grad school. I guess there’s hope for me yet! Stephen and I also sat down and discussed my project in more detail, and at one point he asked me what we want to know about the products were would be making and how we could figure these things out. I was like a deer in headlights. I felt I didn’t have a good enough grasp on the basics to be able to be “creative” and ask good and informed questions. By the end of last week I felt a bit more settled but I still had a lot to digest and synthesize.
This week has been a bit smoother and less
nerve-wracking. I’ve made six batches of the product we’re investigating, and
now we’re waiting to get all the test results back (we send each sample off to
another lab in the building next door to do some of the tests we can’t do in
our lab) and then we’ll collate all the information and determine where to go
from here. Our ultimate goal is to optimize the production process and then
upscale it to make the compound in mass quantities in the plant and then sell
it to the customer. It will be pretty neat to see how the whole process works!
Overall I’m having a remarkably enjoyable time. It’s
definitely an adjustment to my normal schedule (I now sometimes go to bed
before my parents!) but I look forward to going to work every day and the days
go by quickly. I think I like it because it’s stimulating and never boring. I’m
learning skills that may be useful in my career, plus I’m finally getting a
“big-girl” paycheck!
Two weekends ago I chaperoned at the annual Girl Scout
Cadette Senior Ambassador Association Leadership Conference. CSA is a girl-run
association for older girls. I used to be a member when I was a girl and at one
point was President. Now that I’m an adult I was able to chaperone for the
first time! It had been six years since I’d last been, and I had a wonderful
time. I, along with another chaperone, was in charge of a group of 19 girls.
Boy was it a totally different experience than it was when I was a girl
participant! I was responsible for the girls, not just myself, and I had to
serve as a good role model. On the last night of the conference I chaperoned
the dance, and at times I had to remind myself that I was there as an adult and
role model and I had to let the girls bust out all their moves and keep mine
in!
At the conference I also presented a bat workshop. I
had originally only had five girls signed up, but another workshop at that time
was cancelled and the girls in it were moved to my workshop, giving me a total
of 15 girls. I was pretty nervous that the girls wouldn’t be interested and
that I’d run out of things to do (the workshop was 1 1/2 hours), but I was
pleasantly surprised. The girls asked SO many great questions and were so
enthusiastic that the time was easily filled. When the girls left at the end
several told me that they had a really good time. I did too, and I must say it
was probably the best group I’ve ever presented to!
Lots of bat cookies for my bat workshop at the Girl Scout conference.
Presenting “The World of Bats” to the
girls at the Girl Scout Cadette Senior Ambassador Association Leadership
Conference.
I’ve also started zoo volunteer training at the
Cincinnati Zoo to become a Volunteer Educator. I have been attending training
sessions every Saturday morning for the past several weeks, and in the spring
will volunteer at the Educator carts located throughout the zoo. I also hope to
start volunteering with CREW (the Center for Conservation and Research of
Endangered Wildlife), the research branch of the Cincinnati Zoo. I’d love to be
able to continue doing some sort of biological/conservation research while
waiting to start graduate school. I’ll keep you posted on what I end up doing
and how it all goes!
Rosie and me lying in my first big snow
since my return from Australia
(the day AFTER Christmas)!
Snow surfing. Weee!
A snowy sunrise in my front yard (photo
courtesy of my mom, as I was still sleeping at the time (this was before I
started my new job)).
A fabulous sunset over my front yard.
Ringing in the New Year with friends old and new!
Our cat, Bonnie, caught in the act...
Saturday, January 5, 2013
From Night Shift to Day Shift
I have completed my first
week at my new “real”, full-time job! I can no longer follow my natural
bat-like schedule, and I now rise with (actually before) the sun and go to bed
by 10:00pm. I feel like an old person!
I am now working as a lab
“intern” in the R&D lab of a local chemical company, the Shepherd Chemical
Company. I will be working with inorganic and carboxylate metal chemicals. I’ll
be learning more about my responsibilities next week, but I do know that I’ll
be running experiments and taking chemical inventory of the lab. The first
three days I went through general training with two new chemical engineering
co-op students who are in college. There are several other engineering co-ops
working near my lab, so hopefully I’ll be able to get to know them a bit
better, although it might be a bit hard since my desk is in my lab and not in
their “cubicle” area. They are the closest people to my age who I’ve met so
far, so I do hope I’ll be able to talk with them more!
I’m definitely the “odd one
out” at work. Everyone has been quite intrigued when they learn that I am a
Zoology major and study bats. One of the ladies who came in to speak with us
during training said (after I introduced myself), “Word has gotten around that
we have a zoologist with us now!” I’m not used to being in an environment where
I stand out due to my background!
During training we watched
several safety DVDs, learned about the history of the company and the products
it makes, walked around the chemical plant, got fit tested for respirators
(both half and full face), and learned how to access the computer system. We
received binders full of information, which I asked if I was allowed to take
home to read. The trainer looked at me in a kind of surprised way and said I
could read it at work and get paid to read it if I wanted, but that I could
take it home if I wanted. I realized then just how unaccustomed I am to a
regular 9-to-5 type job. It’s such a foreign concept to me to NOT work at home.
I’ve always worked at home, whether it was during high school, college, or on
my Fulbright in Australia.
I’d rather read the binder at home and go into work next week prepared than
spend time at work to read it. To not do that seems “wrong”. I’m not sure if
I’ll ever get used to that way of doing things...
Despite the fact that
chemistry is not my area of expertise, I am looking forward to starting my lab
work next week and meeting the other R&D folks. It should be interesting!
I have also begun training to
volunteer at the Cincinnati Zoo as a Volunteer Educator and with the CREW (Conservation
and Research of Endangered Wildlife) department. Every Saturday for the next
month I’ll be attending training sessions, and will eventually be interacting
with zoo visitors to educate them about the animals. I also hope to get
involved with CREW. I’m really excited to get involved with the zoo again. I
volunteered and then worked there through high school, so it will be great to
get back. That way I’ll be able to continue my work with animals and
conservation while working as a chemist!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime
Merry Christmas! Wow, a lot
has happened since I last wrote over a month ago! It took me awhile to get into
the Christmas mood since it didn’t snow until a few days ago, and even then it
only snowed a tiny bit and it melted the next day. Although I didn’t get the
white Christmas I was so hoping for, I am very grateful to be home with my
family for the holidays and to be able to catch up with my friends.
Speaking of friends, I’ve had
a busy past couple weeks hanging out and catching up with friends, both those
in town and from far away. Sarah, my roommate from OWU, came from Cleveland to visit two
weekends ago. Our weekend consisted of movie time (complete with kettle corn
and Cheeze-Its), a visit to the Krohn Conservatory and their Christmas train
display, and clubbing. I made a REALLY stupid mistake and took my special
Australian ring off in the bathroom of the club and forgot to put it back on.
By the time I realized I wasn’t wearing it and ran back down to the bathroom it
was gone. What a bummer! I always try to see the good in people, but this just
really angered me. If I had found something like that in a club (or anywhere)
it would NEVER have crossed my mind to take it for myself. I just can’t believe
someone would do that! I’m hoping I can get another ring made by the same lady
who made the original (the paleontologist who works at Naracoorte Caves).
Sarah opening one of my Christmas gifts: Tim Tams from Australia!
My first ever phone booth!
At the Krohn Conservatory.
Orchids! Brings back so many memories of hiking and camping with Cath in South Australia.
After Sarah’s visit I had
another exciting adventure with my friend Amanda, who luckily lives here in Cincinnati so I can spend
lots of time with her while here! We had a girls’ night out at Paint By the
Glass, a place in town where you can go and take a painting “class” complete
with appetizers and wine. Each session they have a specific painting for the
night, and the instructor gives step-by-step instructions on how to make it.
It’s a great time and you get a cool painting out of it!
At my first Paint By the Glass session with Amanda.
I spent the supposed End of
the World with my friend Lauren, who came from Cleveland to visit for the weekend (while on
break from grad school at Cornell). I took Lauren to Paint By the Glass for a
surprise, and we had a fantastic time. I feel so creative when I’m there!
12:21 on 12/21, a numerical palindrome, BWOOP BWOOP!
With Lauren at my SECOND Paint By the Glass session.
The next day we went to a
coffee shop to work (although we ended up not doing much work!), spent a few
hours shopping, had a DELICIOUS dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant about 15
minutes from my house (I FINALLY found another Ethiopian place that matches the
one up in Columbus!)
followed by dessert at Graeter’s ice cream, and then went karaoking with my
friends Khori and Tara from high school. I hadn’t seen Tara
in over five years, and it was great to catch up! Lauren and I sang “Wagon Wheel”
by Old Crow Medicine Show, and unfortunately we were one of the first groups to
go, before everyone was liquored up. I must admit that we were by far the worst
singers of the whole night. Ah well, I still had fun!
Mmm, Ethiopian food!
Out for a night of karaoke with Lauren, Tara, Khori, and Cedric.
The next night we all went
dancing at a local club, where supposedly they were going to be playing
Christmas tunes but (thankfully) weren’t. This was the same club at which I
lost my Australian ring when I was out with Sarah, but I was able to put that
behind me and have a blast.
Christmas dancing!
Last night was Christmas Eve.
It was great to be home and to be part of the family celebration again. My
family gathered at my grandparent’s house for dinner and presents. A few years
ago we decided to switch from everyone giving gifts to everyone else to each
person choosing one person (we choose names out of a hat) to give a gift to. My
cousin Jen had my name, and she gave me a beautiful stone and bead necklace
that she made herself, and a scarf that my aunt knitted. We also did our
traditional “white elephant” gift exchange, from which I got a funny glass
flamingo ornament with broken legs. It was my nephew Ryan’s first Christmas. I,
and the rest of the family, enjoyed oohing and ahhing over him. What a great
evening (despite one of my uncles griping that there was no pie for dessert
this year)!
The gorgeous necklace my cousin Jen made for me.
Today was Christmas Day. This
morning my whole family gathered at my aunt and uncle’s house for Christmas
breakfast, and then this evening everyone came over to our house for dinner.
Mmm, SO MUCH GOOD FOOD: sticky buns, French toast, broccoli soup, mashed
potatoes with onions and leaks, green bean casserole, grilled salmon (and ham
and roast beef), coleslaw, sweet potatoes, pudding shots, my Nana’s recipe
burnt sugar cookies, my mom’s “slug cookies”, and so much more! I got some
wonderful gifts, including a bat Christmas stocking, a cave t-shirt, a bat
bandana, the Mouse King from The Nutcracker, a soft faux fur scarf, some DVDs
(Crazy, Stupid Love; The King’s Speech; and Inception), and a Christmas pickle
ornament. Thanks everyone!
With my dad, mom, brother, sister-in-law, and baby nephew on Christmas Day.
A bat stocking!
Ryan is getting so big (about 2 1/2 months old now)!
Now that Christmas is over
I’m looking ahead to the New Year. I have exciting news on the job front: on
January 2 I will be starting a full-time job/co-op position as an R&D
Chemist with a chemical company here in Cincinnati.
It’s DEFINITELY not what I thought I’d be doing when I got back from Australia
(and I never imagined I’d touch chemistry again!) but it will be a good
experience to broaden my science skills and learn how the chemical industry
works. I plan to apply for jobs more related to my expertise (like at the
Cincinnati Zoo and/or local parks) once positions open up for the summer. Until
then, wish me luck with remembering all my chemistry skills!
I may continue this blog a little
longer to give updates on how my new job goes, but I’m not quite sure when/how
to end it. Should I keep writing next year? At what point should I stop? Any
suggestions/ideas from my readers or fellow bloggers would be great.
P.S. We’re supposed to get
several inches of snow tonight/tomorrow, so at least I’ll get a white day-after
Christmas!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Home for the Holidays
Turkey Day is almost upon us!
I’m really excited to be home this year to celebrate with my family, although I
had a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving with my new Fulbright family last
year in Canberra.
Mmm, I can’t wait for turkey and mashed potatoes (with gravy of course), sweet
potatoes, dressing, and my grandma’s delicious pumpkin pie. Bring it on!
I haven’t decided yet when to
end this blog. I’ve been thinking I might continue it a bit longer to at least
give some updates on life back in the States, but I’m not sure. For now I
figured I’d give an update on what I’ve been up during my first two weeks at
home for all the folks back in Australia
(and anyone else interested).
After the initial shock of
moving home wore off, I began to get used to things again. Readjusting has been
harder than I thought it would be, but I have a handle on it now. One of the
things I enjoy most is being able to pick up the phone and call a friend if I
want or need to. It’s amazing how much I missed that while in Australia! I no
longer have to schedule a Skype date with my friends for weeks down the road. I
can just pick up the phone and call them! What a wonderful thing to be able to
do.
Last week my dad had work off
so we spent some quality father-daughter time together. We went to the
Cincinnati Zoo, which I hadn’t been to in years. It was a nice cool fall day
and we were two of about 50 people there. I discovered that I loved the Insect
House. I could have sat and watched the ant colonies all day! I also loved
watching the Naked Mole Rat colony. They are amazing little animals! We
finished our outing with dinner at a Thai restaurant. I actually got something
different than, although very similar to, Pad Thai this time!
Aardvark hanky-panky...
Giant Fruit Bat!!!
Nap time for these guys.
Snack time for this girl.
Glow-in-the-dark scorpions. So neat!
Naked Mole Rats, some of my favorite animals at the zoo.
The ants were amazing to watch.
Surrounding the queen bee.
Not quite sure what he was doing, but he seemed pretty content doing it.
Baby and adult King Penguins.
Sleeping baby aardvark. Almost nothing is cuter.
Bennett's Wallaby. Brings back so many good memories!
The exotic squirrel! I'm still getting used to seeing them running around everywhere.
My dad and me after a day at the zoo.
Over the weekend my friend
Amanda spent the night. We carried on our tradition of making bruschetta and
brie on baguette, followed by watching “The Boondock Saints”. We attended a
jewelry party the next day and I got to look at and admire jewelry that perhaps
someday I’ll buy. That evening my parents and I headed just over the border to Indiana to have a family
dinner at my aunt and uncle’s place. Most of the family was there and it felt
like old times.
On Sunday my mom and I went
to the monthly Cadette, Senior, Ambassador Association meeting. CSA is a group
for older Girl Scouts to learn leadership skills, plan events, and make friends.
I used to be involved in it when I was younger, and was President at one point.
This time I attended as an adult advisor. What a change! I loved seeing the
girls doing what I used to do. I don’t feel like I’m THAT separated from it
all. I’ll be chaperoning at the annual CSA conference as well as presenting a
bat workshop there. Should be lots of fun!
On the job front I did apply
for a seasonal position at the Cincinnati Zoo. Although the position is not
working with animals (there were no such positions open when I applied) it
would still get my foot in the door. I haven’t heard back from them and it’s
been a week and a half, so I’m not sure if I should hold my breath. I am also
applying for a lab internship at a chemical company where one of my neighbors
works. I never imagined I’d end up using chemistry again (it’s been almost four
years since I’ve done ANY chemistry!) but it would be good to broaden my
scientific experience and learn how the chemical industry works. We’ll see how
all that goes.
This weekend my mom and I
will put up and decorate the Christmas tree as we have always done the weekend
after Thanksgiving. There will be Christmas music and hot chocolate to round
out our tradition. Boy I love this time of year!
The view from my front porch on a lovely fall day.
This is next!
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