Week 7: Dear Diary...

Network, network, network! My research mentor at the University of Colorado at Denver is very popular- and I am now responsible for THREE hello’s from various people. The list just keeps growing! When we arrived in DC, we were made aware how important it was to network, especially in a city like DC. SPS even made us business cards! I think my favorite part about networking though, is the exchange of energy and ideas. I love learning about what others are passionate about and looking for ways to unite our strengths, creativity, and drives. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve networked with employees of the DOE, NREL, and even some fellow musicians in Denver, CO. The latter gave me amazing tips for gathering the gusto to finally share some of my own music- and now all my family members are going to receive mixtapes for Christmas. Now I belong to several communities that I am passionate about. There is strength in community. As I begin to prepare, mentally, for my last year in my undergrad, I feel myself getting excited to return to Denver and kick butt in my studies- but mostly, I am excited for the feeling of community that comes with struggling (and ultimately prevailing) through something difficult alongside the people you call your friends. I am excited to get confused together in and out of class, cheer each other on before an exam, and in May, walk next to them at graduation. The physics community at CU Denver is my original network. 

In the meantime though, I am grateful for my network and community here in DC at SPS and AIP. Our project abstracts are due tomorrow and our final presentations are in just a few weeks. I think that this might be an appropriate time to shoutout some of the SPS and AIP team for supporting me this summer through some of the most difficult things, including the passing of my step-father: Mikayla Cleaver, Kayla Stephens, Alejandro De La Puente, Rianna Ehrenreich, and Louan Jordan each made my internship experience possible through their dedication to SPS values of supporting students and helping them succeed. Without their dedication (and others at AIP and SPS) to students, completing this internship wouldn’t have been possible! I am lucky to be a part of a community like SPS, which elevates students through resources and community.  

I am getting really excited for the final culmination of my project this summer with the Niels Bohr Library and Archives. I’ve learned a TON about climate change, policy, the role of science/scientists in all of it, and the concept of climate resilience. I’ve always said that I’m terrible with history, dates, and government documents but I suppose that only goes as far as my interest. I can now refer to Principles and chapters in Agenda 21 of the Rio Conference in 1992 (such as Principle 22, which states the necessity to include indigenous knowledge in the advancement and strengthening of climate resilience), the year that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was formed (1988, the same year that Dr. Syukuro Manabe and Dr. James Hansen testified in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources), the year that the Charney Panel was formed (1989), and so much more. Can you tell I’m a little nerded out on the topic? 

Also, it’s my birthday month! Countdown to my birthday is 13 days. My mother-in-law and my partner will be visiting at the end of the month for it, and it’s my mother-in-law's first time in DC! I am so excited to show her all the cool cafes, libraries, museums, and restaurants I’ve found; and of course, all of the beautiful monuments. This piece of the world really is so unique, and at the heart of the U.S. Its energy is stimulating and I think I’ve always had a passion for civic stewardship, but now I have a policy bug. Thanks DC, for confusing my career trajectories.