Life in the Fast Lane

Hello hello! So I realize I haven't posted anything in awhile. That is likely because life took me in the fast lane for a bit. Let's see... from roommate drama to grad school disasters and everything in between, I've been in a tornado that is finally slowing down. Now I get the honors of trying to remember what all happened since my last blog post. That is always fun.

Every once in awhile, something catches my eye and I just have to stop and stare. 

Alright, so first things first. I am no longer a graduate student at North Carolina State University. I have decided that it is best for me to put that on pause and find a program better suited for my interests. After 18 months of grad school, I've come to realize that lab research is not meant for me. I cannot and will not sit inside 60+ hours a week doing the same thing every single day. Yes, I learned a lot but I also learned that labwork is not for me (which I kind of knew beforehand but was willing to give it a try). What gets my blood racing and my heart pumping out of my chest is working with plants in their natural environment. Yes, I get sunburned, stung by unknown insects, get pollen in my eyes, cut by leaves, hauling hefty bags of supplies around, things never go as planned, but I can't imagine doing anything but that. If I don't have dirt under my nails by the end of the day, that isn't a fulfilling day. So yes, go ahead a judge me for putting grad school on pause. But if you have not spent a day as a graduate student, please be nice in your judgement.

A sunset like this over a frozen lake makes me realize how lucky I was to have spent all that time in Madison, WI. But like everything good in this world, it comes to an end. So long farewell. May the future shine as bright as this.

So, that being said, there is something else going on. I have moved out of my apartment, am crashing at a friend's place for a bit, am moving my belongings back to Wisconsin, and then peacing out to go rock climbing for about 2 months. My TRC friends and family have heard me go on and on and on and on and on about this trip (which I'm super psyched for). I will be starting at Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas, NV. That's about all I know for sure because the rest is still up in the air. I am most likely going to be going to Joshua Tree, Bishop, Yosemite, and maybe Zion? Yes, I'll take photos. Yes, I'll make my TRC friends jealous. Yes, I'll have the time of my life.

These pictures aren't showing the true beauty of the sky. It ranges from the faintest of blue to the color of jeans.

In the meantime, I'm looking for jobs in the Seattle area and applying to them. I'm also looking at tentative graduate programs for the future. I guess I'll see what happens. On the other hand, I had a wonderful winter break back in Wisco! I got to see all 3 sides of the family plus Aaron. On top of all of that, I get to make more life-altering decisions. But I better get back to application and resume fixing. Hopefully Aaron makes it safely to his destination, I get my shit done, I can play in the snow, and life will ease up on the stress. Oh and Happy New Year!