Whoops

I woke up this morning trying to figure out how was going to compose the next section of my 10,000 word lit review on fishing practices and how they have upset the species composition of skates and rays. I made myself a cup of coffee from coffee beans sent with love from Long Island and the smell of it remind me of my father. I wrote 1800 words this morning and I still have miles to go.

I've been very neglectful of this blog. But those of you that know me well I'm sure that comes as no surprise. Here's what I've been doing:

On March 27th I have a 10,000 word meta-analysis as cited above.
On March 30th I have a 3000 word essay on invertebrate larval life strategies.
On April 20th I have a 6000 word literature review for my summer research project on the vocalizations of the Common Dolphin. My parents will be with me for Easter, the lit review is due three days after they leave.
On April 24th I have a data analysis on crustacean species linages and evolution.
On April 27-28th I'll be out on a boat doing a cetacean survey in Red Wharf Bay.
On May 11th I have a 8 pageish report on mollusc hatcheries.
On May 13th I have a half hour presentation based on my meta-analysis on skates and rays.
On May 15th I have to hand in the report for the cetacean survey we did on the 27th and 28th of April.
On May 19th I have to give a half hour presentation on my summer research project on the Common Dolphin vocalizations (which for you Purchase kids out there, I keep referring to as my Senior Project and no one has any clue what I'm talking about).

And then? And then I BREATHE. So I'm sorry if I've been neglectful since Christmas. Weekends have started to be referred to as 'Class-free' time. I do get out, I promise! Last weekend a bunch of us took the morning off and went diving in Menai straight, the first time for me. There's so much life down there, my friend Dan and I saw a sea star eating a crab. It was awesome.

I will be spending the 6 weeks this summer down in South Wales, in a town called New Quey as part of my summer research project. I'll be living in a house with even MORE people then I'm living with now, but it will be right on the water so we can all hop on the boat to do surveys whenever the weather allows. I will be spending June and July on the water in Cardigan Bay counting dolphins and porpoises. It's a hard life, but someone has to live it.

In the end, it's all worth while. The amount of work I have to do will simply prove to me that I am capable of doing it. It's a lot, but I know I'll get it done. And I don't just mean just handing it. Every piece of work I have handed in in this course I feel I've learned something from, and it's just gets more and more interesting every piece I do. I'm handing in pieces of work I'm proud of, which I can't say for all of my undergraduate assignments. But hey, I'm older now. Isn't that kinda the point of a Master's in the first place?

I'm looking forward to seeing my parents this Easter. I have so much to show them. Also, I think my Long Island accent is slipping. I say things like 'took the piss out of' or 'that's cleaver' or 'would you like a cupper?' I need a good dose of good old fashion American accent.

I know there's no pictures in this blog, but most of my family is on facebook now! So there are more pictures on there, enjoy! (Sidenote: My mother is on facebook, she is also a self described 'texting maniac' and sends me youtube clips of rappers she likes. When did my Mom become hipper then me?)

As a public service announcement I feel I must comment on something. PETA is asking the world to start calling fish seakittens. They feel that it is unfair to the fish that the word 'fish' is used to describe the animal and the practice of hunting them. They chose the ever so creative word, seakittens, out of hopes that people will stop eating fish. No one wants to eat kittens, right? Please, do NOT call fish seakittens! It's a cutesy campaign that, in my humble opinion, is degrading to fish. PETA is crazy. No self-respecting marine biologist will stand for it! Boycott Seakittens! Fish are friends!

I love you, but I must return. I'm hoping to have a rough draft of the 10,000 meta-analysis done by the end of the week.

Love and kittens!

Emily
MSc postgraduate computer suite - Menai Bridge

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