Thursday/Friday, June 22-23
It's hard to believe that this is all happening! I got to Milwaukee on Friday night and met Randy and Polly. It was strange knowing that we would be getting to know each other so well in such a short amount of time. We spent the evening getting to know each other and talking about our plans and hopes for the Boot Camp. I was also introduced to frozen custard. It is amazing! I have a feeling it will be a lasting relationship! I wonder where I can find it in New York? I guess I will have to do some research!
Saturday was spent going over the week's schedule and learning how to use some of the water testing tools that we would need for the week. I had used many of the tools but a few were new to me. I had the feeling that some of the students might be teaching me a thing or two!
Sunday, June 24
Wow! Who knew an entire day at the airport could be so exciting? I guess it depends on whom you ask. Chirag had to switch flights and ended up getting into the airport at about 9:30 am. He really was there the whole day! It was very cool to see how everyone slowly started talking and warming up to each other. Austin came in from Alaska and was working on very little sleep. We had to keep him awake so he could get on our time schedule! Brittany, Allison and Ada were all on the same flight from Houston. Brittany and Allison found each other in the airport so they were able to get to know each other on the plane. Honestly, you would think that they have known each other for 10 years! It wasn't just kids coming in though. Caleb Schutz (the President of JASON) also came in along with a few other JASON and National Geographic staff. It was a long and emotional day. By the time we left, it was dinnertime. As exhausted as we all were, it was hard to get to sleep. The excitement level was astronomical!
Monday, June 25
It was a crazy, busy day! We had a great time at the park doing the water testing but even more fun was getting to know the kids and their personalities. We were introduced to being on camera. Not easy to get used to! How can you ignore a camera when it is right in your face? We got to meet Dr Russel Cuhel and his wife Dr. Carmen Aguilar. They have an amazing life! They are doing the research they love and making a difference. They even got married on a boat in huge waves.
For dinner we were given some clues and had to find the restaurant. It ended up being a place called the Safe House. Once we found the place and got in the door, we had to figure out how to actually get in! We ended up all having to sing "Ring-Around-the-Rosy" before we were let in. The restaurant was dedicated to spies and espionage. There were secret doors and two way mirrors all over. We spent more time exploring the place than actually eating. It was a great way for all of us to have fun and get to know each other better. Brittany keeps telling me she wants to go running on the stairs at night for exercise but so far we have managed to tire her out enough that she doesn't need it!
Tuesday, June 26
I am absolutely exhausted! When they said that we would be working from morning to night I didn't really think they were serious. I also didn't really believe that there wouldn't be time to call home at night! It was all true! I get up at 5:30 am to get ready before the girls get up and need the shower. We get breakfast at 7 and then get picked up at 7:30. We usually go to the University Outreach Offices for a short meeting before our adventure for the day. Today it was canoeing the Milwaukee River. I haven't canoed in a long time so I was a little nervous. I ended up having a great time! We canoed for almost 4 hours. We saw a baby snapping turtle and Beven and I even saw a soft-shelled turtle in the water. It was so great to be on the water again. We also got to experience a bit of white water! We almost flipped but managed to keep upright. Going into the River wouldn't have been that bad I guess, just ask Derek and Polly!
Wednesday, June 27
Snorkeling was amazing! I was shocked at what was going on under the water. I am so excited to try it in the Gulf when I visit my parents. The mask and snorkel were hard to get used to but I got the hang of it. Diving was the hardest! I kept forgetting that I couldn't breathe underwater. Duh! I am so happy to have had this experience.
Randy's mustache caused quite a stir at dinner. He had to put Chirag's lip balm on it so the snorkel mask could get a tight seal. Polly and Cindy made some comment about it during dinner at Culver's and it started a chain reaction of laughing that was like none I have ever experienced. I couldn't even breathe! It was a great sight… all the adults (including Randy) laughing hysterically and the kids completely oblivious.
Thursday, June 28
Today we went out on Lake Michigan on the Neeskay. It was rough water but we managed to get to one test site out in the deeper water. We were able to get the ROV to record video from the bottom of the Lake and also got some samples using the vacuum mechanism. It was so cool to use the actual instruments that we have learned about. They used computer probes to take some of the data. It got a little crazy: 4 to 6 foot waves. My hands were numb from gripping the side rail and studying to horizon just trying to keep myself from "feeding the fish" and getting caught on camera. I kept looking out of the corner of my eye to see who was waiting to capture it on film. I was determined not to embarrass myself. With the help of saltines and support from Carmen I managed to get back into the harbor with my breakfast intact. I have to say; I wasn't the only one to feel so horrible. I wonder if I will be out on boats on my next mission!
Friday, June 29
Graduation Day!
We spent the day in the lab and worked with Carmen and Russell on analyzing the data we had. It was a long day but so rewarding! We found out our Mission locations and teams. I am going to the Chesapeake Bay to work with Dr. Sylvia Earle on a restoration project for the Bay. I am so excited to be working on something relating to human impact on the estuaries. It will relate so well to the Hudson River Estuaries where I live! My team is Austin, Ada and Bevon. We are going to have a blast!
There are so many wonderful experiences that couldn't even be put down here. This has been the fastest week and yet I can't even believe what we have accomplished in such a short time! We have gotten to know each other very well and learned amazing things. I know that this will be a life changing experience for all of us!