Its a new year and a new stage in my life. And what better way to start things off by better communicating with my friends?? The idea struck me that I could set up a little "blog" as a way to update everyone on my crazy adventures. I know with my schedule it can get pretty hard to keep up with my happenings, so hopefully this will help! So here we go...
Movin' on Up!
On January 9, 2009 my "hiatus" adventures in South America officially came to an end as I loaded the car with most of my belongings and drove 11 hours north to the Morehead City, Beaufort area of North Carolina. I came to this area to begin work for my PhD at Duke University. Of all places I would want to be this is number one! I get to work at a state of the art marine lab, on an island near many beaches, and work with and study with some of the most imminent scholars and students in my field. I cant express how lucky I feel and how happy I am to have this opportunity. Additonally I feel like I already had friends and family here as Doug and his family are here, as well as many of the friends I have made over the years through my job. It has made this transition not only easy, but exciting and fun as I get to share each day with some amazing people.
In August I will officially begin as a "PhD candidate" at Duke University and move to durham for a semester to take a few classes. Until then, I am working as a research technician in Dougs Lab here in Beaufort. My phd project will focus on estimating the consumption rates of humpback whales on their prey (krill) in the antarctic peninsula (http://www.usap.gov/USAPgov/
). For the time being I am prepping for our first trip down south in April and praying that somehow my thing Floridian blood will somehow thicken by then. Winter in Antarctica will surely be an adventure!! (But one I would not give up for anything).
For now I am enjoying the small town life here and exploring all the area has to offer. Also, enjoying my first official snow day!
Cant wait for all of you to visit (talk to audrey to find out how exciting it is here in lovely beaufort, truly!) and I will try to update this as regularly as I can. I miss you all!!
rbt
