Aug 10, 2013 21:10
So, I've been going crazy the past few weeks. I completed what ended up being a 50 page paper, presented it, made another attempt at creating bronze bells using the lost wax method, hosted a new student for a week, learnt how to use a portable XRF scanner, packed for my trip and a million other things. Today, I did the first leg of my trip down to Chicago, and tomorrow I leave for Japan. Once I get there, I have one day, two nights in Tokyo where I will test for my 5th degree black belt. The day after that I head to South Korea. I have a bunch of people to meet there, and lead isotope and XRF testing to do. Then, near the end of the month it's back to Japan, where I will first visit the only source of jadeite in the archipelago, then head down to Nara to do research around there. I then present at a conference on Sept. 12th or so, before heading home on the 16th. I'm missing the first two weeks of classes, so I have a ton of extra homework to do either while I travel or right when I get back (And I already failed at getting one project done I was supposed to do before I left. Oops). I also have a paper due for the conference, and I'm applying for another scholarship which is due while I'm gone. So, I'm feeling both exhilarated and stressed since if this trip works out it will be amazing, but I'm literally tracking people down as I go and trying desperately to get permission to test artifacts. I'm very much looking forward to hitting up some hot springs in Japan at some point because I'm sure I'm going to need it by that point.
On the plus side, I am enjoying watching Shark Week on the hotel tv atm. I don't have a tv so I never get to watch shark week, so this is a nice change. Due to weight restrictions, I'm making this entire trip with only my kindle and laptop for things to read. I feel kind of naked without a book with me *L* Anyway, I must get to work on my scholarship proposal. G'nite!