Week 3

[Ian Hebert]

Life here in Woods Hole is beginning to settle down. The work has become routine and I am beginning to explore the area more. I am almost finished extracting all the organics from the sediment samples, and then we will start to analyze the composition of the cores using chromatography and a mass spectrometer. I am glad to be almost done with the solvent extractor, it has become quite tedious and doing the same thing everyday can get dull. My boss has been out of the lab rather consistently but since I have a rather basic job right now, I don’t need much oversight. Its nice to be able to just get the work done without someone always looking over your shoulder. The people I’m working with are great though so that makes the day go buy faster.
The other day the other guest student in our lab had her birthday, and we all went down to the beach with pizza and watched the sunset, it was a great time and all the other summer students are a blast to hang out with. The barn Olympics happened yesterday. The barn, which is the other WHOI housing facility hosted a series of games and also had a triathlon, there was also a BBQ that evening. It was a fun time and it was good to meet a lot of the students who work in the Woods Hole campus.
Every week WHOI hosts talks for all the guest students, mostly on Mondays. There are usually about 3 speakers focusing on a range of topics, this week however in addition to these talks, Robert ballard will be speaking on multiple occasions. I am very excited to see him and hear what he has to say. Ballard has been the public face of WHOI for a long time with such publicity as the discovery of the Titanic and extensive use of autonomous underwater vehicles, these talks will no doubt be informative and exciting. Life here is good and I am amazed at how fast time is passing.

[Jo McKearnan]

Saw your cousin Cole Campbell last night. I tried to describe what you are doing and he was interested. He is the one who lives in So. Korea, married and has a son 3. Cole is alot older than you, but he is a neat guy. I'm sure you've met him. M &B

[Shawn McKearnan]

Hi Ian,
Your description of the lab work was so interesting! And I am thinking of you tonight: the moon is almost full, and it is the night you may see Robert Ballard. That would be a really interesting event! The speakers we heard in Aspen were talking about world environmental states, and it made me realize that it is people like the ones you are working with, and like you, who will influence so much in the future.
We love you!
Mom, Dad and Tyler

[Jo McKearnan]

Great to read that progress is being made in your assignment. we knew you would shine! Are you keeping a diary of day to day events? Keep in touch. Marnie and Bampa

[Dottie Miller]

Hi Ian,

I am wondering if this Robert Ballard is the gentleman that invented the little sub that could go to such depths that had never been achieved before!! I know my 4th graders really were amazed at all the animals that were discovered through this process and am trying to remember the name of the vehicle!!! What a discovery. It sounds like you are adjusting well and enjoying the social end of things. Your confidence levels have also seem to have adjusted to your tasks, and your research sounds super interesting. Sorry the weather is not to your liking, but again, an experience to put in your memory bank and appreciate the lovely blue skies of Colorado. We look forward to your posts and are so proud of what you are doing, what a great experience.

Dottie