Graduation years are a turbulent time. At first, all you can focus on is that big light at the end of the tunnel. Finish writing my thesis. Pass my classes. Defend. Graduate. Success. This is my life for the next 2.5 months. Eventually, you’ll be able to look past the light and see all of the options that lie ahead of you. Darn. Options means choices. We’ve reached that point in our life once more when everyone only asks you that one dreaded question: What are you going to do after you graduate? Guess I have to start thinking about this again. As if I had that much control over my destiny.
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Another early morning in South Africa. The sun is struggling to rise, as are we. Today is Kruger Day. After days of hard work and animal relocating with Andre (the Indiana Jones of Africa), a day spent marveling at beauties of the wild is just what we need.
Our caravan creeps slowly towards the gates. Other students get out to stretch their legs. I try to get a few extra minutes of sleep. We’ll be spending the day driving through the park. You don’t get out. Inside the vans, with our cameras, snacks, and guides, we’re in our temporary habitats. Everything else belongs to the animals.
Dr. Stokes, our experienced leader and resident Mammalogy guru, has been through the parks many times. Each experience provided a different glimpse into the vast diversity the park has to offer. To make things even more interesting, he issues a contest. The student to correctly predict the first mammal we encounter in the park gets a Magnum bar. And this was before Magnum bars were available in the US!
I must have that ice cream bar.
What mammal will we see first? I focus very hard on this question. I think about all of the different possibilities. The others will guess more obvious choices. Impala due to sheer numbers. Giraffes, due to height visibility. I close my eyes and open myself to the answer.
Rhinoceros.
Greater Kudo Capture
A bold move on my part as often this member of the Big 5 is not often seen at all. My fellow competitors mock my choice, but I gather all the positive energy I can muster and focus on my goal.
We see not one but a group of White Rhinos just inside the park.
Sweet, sweet, Belgian chocolaty victory.
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I once manifested multiple Rhinoceroses, how difficult can this future thing be? I’m still a few weeks away from knowing whether my plans for after graduate school may involve four months in a Mars analog habitat. I need to be focused on finishing processing samples and writing my thesis, but I can’t help but try and peek out past the end of this tunnel at my future.
Busy day on campus for me! So I’m just going to present this lovely Pi video from my favorite math doodler/mathmusician! Vi Hart is a pretty creative gal, and I encourage you to check out some of her other videos (link on the left side of my blog under ‘More Mathematics’).
Question of the Day: What kind of pie should I attempt to make in the coming week?
Scientific research is very rewarding. You are on a quest for that little bit of knowledge that has, to date, evaded others. Your hard work and investigations could potentially lead to advancements in your field. Notoriety. Articles in Science AND Nature! Fame. Nobel Peace Prize!
Even so, there is only so long that you can count algae cells under a microscope before needing a break.
Crew-members of the Hi-SEAS study need to be prepared to provide their own fun and frivolity during their time spent in the habitat. Space and resource limitations could put a damper on options, but once more we’ll just have to accept the challenge and get creative!
Here are just a few of my favorite games:
Liars Dice A great bonding game that requires only dice and a piece of paper. Since this was a pirate game, it’s not surprising that the objective is to out sneak, lie, and trick the other players to be the last one standing. Each player starts with 5 dice and a cup, after an initial roll, they takes turns ‘bidding’ on the number of a certain die value that exists in all hands. (e.g. “I believe there are six 2’s”) The next player can either change the bid (“I believe there are seven 2’s/I believe there are six [other value]”) or CHALLENGE. Then all dice are uncovered and the true liar is revealed. The game becomes trickier when “1’s” are considered wild. More rules and explanations can be found here.
Paper Rock Scissors Perhaps the greatest of all games. Ever. You never know when a challenger may approach. I am a firm believe in the skill involved in PRS. Play often enough with an opponent and you start to pick up on some of their tricks and patterns. Watch out though, I can play with my left OR right hand! I challenge you! Best 2 outta 3, 2 outta 3, one-two-three-SHOOT!
Photo Booth Music Videos Perhaps one of the sillier of my creative fun and frivolity suggestions, Photo Booth Music Videos may also be one of the more hilarious things you will ever do. All you need is an Apple computer or iPad with Photo Booth and danceable music. I recommend turning on the mirror effect. Then put your dance hats on and record an extra special home video to your favorite songs.
I’ll add a video later, so come back for my own ridiculous example!
Popcorn Reading With the rise of the e-reader, it’s never been easier to cart around a small library of good reads. I don’t know if you were the type to be overjoyed to be chosen to read aloud to the class as a youngster, but I’ve found that it has gotten more and more amusing as I age. Road trips with my friends often includes at least a few chapters read by all.
I’ve been saving a few books on my e-reader apps for a time when I can read without worrying about what grad student responsibilities I’m supposed to be focusing on. Any strike your fancy?
The Time Machine – H.G. Wells You are NOT so Smart – David McRaney Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time – Dave Sobel A More Perfect Heaven: How Copernicus Revolutionized the Cosmos – Dava Sobel
Young Adult Sci-Fi books would also be perfect. Who else enjoys creating lots of different voices for the characters?
Knitting This may not be the most mind-blowing activity, but it certainly can relax and sooth. I picked up this craft in college and have phased in and out since then. Currently I’m in. I even have a special treat planned to create for all fellow crew-members and associated people should I be selected to participate. I could also teach others how to knit and follow a pattern, or create their own.
Ninja This game may require a bit more room than available, but I’m sure we can create a similar game for when we are space suited up and traveling out of the habitat. Any ideas for the rules for ‘Astronauts’?
Dreamatorium It could be anything.
Card Games With the vast number of games possible with simply a deck of cards, this section could probably fill its own blog post! In fact, I think I’ll just make this our…
Question of the Day: What is your favorite card game? (And if it’s unique, how do you play?) Any other game suggestions that meet our space and resource limitations?
Sweet Tea, Science 