Temporary Spaces and Framing Goals

A long Labor Day weekend, coupled with a work and school backlog make blogging a secondary activity, but  I think building in some rest into my schedule needs to become more of a priority. It's less of a "protect my time at all costs" priority, and more of a "we did it, we're going to be okay" kind of self-care. We've been asking those questions to students we've interviewed, and I vaguely have an idea of how I'd answer those. I'm usually in a state of "there's a lot to unpack" and part of that is just the state of being busy and unsettled. I'm not quite at the level of the opening lines of Pride and Prejudice, but a step or two before that.

Weighty Decisions

As a PhD student and student-body president for graduate and professional students at a major public research university in the United States, I think a lot about the choices I'm privileged in making. 

Recently, my work involved hiring office staff for the student government for my university. It's tough narrowing down 325 applications to 36 interview spots, and then picking 9, knowing that we're starting the year dashing the hopes of a lot of qualified students. We also need what is best and sustainable for our organization, but it doesn't change the realities of job markets around universities.

I can also say that the pressures of working during school would be lessened, especially for master's and professional degree students,  if school itself became more affordable.

Wall Space

I've spent some long spans in my office this week; during the year, I'm usually off to meetings all across campus, but everything has been reachable by Zoom. There's a lot of good real estate in my office, but admittedly, it has clutter, and I finally feel ready to purge some of the leftover pre-COVID artifacts of my predecessors. Despite this being the start of my second annual term as President, there isn't much of a window to clean on the schedule during the 20-hour window. It would have to be on-my-own-time, and it hasn't arisen to that level of importance. That just means it would always be on the back burner though.

My office is where I have a combination of collected paper materials over the past few academic years including tickets, brochures, sticky notes, quick reports, and meme-worthy art. I have two bulletin boards in my office. The one closer to me has more personal school related mementos. The one on the outer wall is where I would put some of things that can change, so I've left some of that gray space for things I collect in September.

A NASA Calendar from NASA HQ in D.C., stickers for student parents,
stickers for Grad School public lectures, Chihuly Garden postcards, and
a faux parchment with the history of King Cake.
Gray space left for September meeting proceedings.

I flipped the calendar to September and read the blurb about Dr. Marilyn Fogel (1952 - 2022). I was also so happy to see Marilyn's blog! Although the Isotope Queen has passed, her legacy as a researcher and educator in geophysical sciences inspires me.

My actual apartment doesn't have much in terms of wall coverage; renting and the temporary-nature of my stay makes it less of a priority, and I actually prefer the visual respite compared to some of the book and clothes clutter within my college studio apartment. My own living space has more office-like qualities, and I'm not sure at the moment how I'd change it up.

Counter Space

 My kitchen is generally tidy since space is so limited. I tried putting appliances away, but the shelf space seems even more limited, and I'm hesitant to cram in some ways of hanging kitchenware on the walls. Again, renting is a real barrier to what I'd want to do.

In the office, our table tops has clutter that can be cleared off pretty easily, but we really need to get rid of, or at least start using, some more of what we have.  The counter tops in the break room has a few appliances that get some communal use, but keeping it clean seems tougher when the responsibility is diffuse. My caffeine intake is mostly regulated through multiple soft drinks, and reaching my daily quota of around 160 mg was probably established when I drank some energy drinks; my tolerances probably shift, but not enough to induce Psyduck-like withdrawal headaches.

Some restraint in not partaking, I guess.

Walking Around Campus and Around Seattle

My time in office, the physical space, is something I cherish because it is timely and temporary. However, there's a whole campus and city to explore with places that change incrementally. Within the same building, across the street, and a park away, there's usually something new to look at.

I'm not sure I get it, but I saw the work that went into the installation.
It's just under the stairs on the first floor.

Warning for active bees. So inspirational to stay active.

A nice walk the Sunday of Labor Day weekend.

Communication about Science Communication

In other news, in the second half of my week, I received an invitation for a talk on my research work at the Pacific Science Center. That will be a quick Zoom call in November. I secretly wish I could fly out to Berkeley instead, but technology and digital accessibility and environmental impact all kind of weigh in.

 

Discussion

In addition to work and school, I constantly think about my thinking. The metacognitive pulse and temperature checks enable some maintenance and planning.

September 2023 Monthly Goals

• Write 15-20 posts. Even if I have to go back and revise later on. Open topics.
  
• Revise August posts. Some of my ideas and thinking have evolved since; usually this will include additions rather than completely changing anything.
  
• Declutter my apartment and office space. No promises on sharing, but I feel like I want to have the option of being able to share here.
• Exercise outdoors. The weather is much more conducive to going outside with some comfort. I prefer colder weather, simply because New Orleans heat and humidity is so draining.