Monday, June 26, 2023
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We’re almost halfway through the summer and I was not ready for that information. I feel like I just got here and still have so much to see and do. Good thing there’s never a dull moment in DC, especially during this past week!
We kicked off the week by celebrating Juneteenth with a trip to the Botanical Gardens. Tiffany, Clay, and I met up with Joseph Watson, a previous SPS intern now employed at NASA, and spent our afternoon admiring all of the different plant species we found. After that, we came back to the dorms and immediately started preparing for the potluck the interns had planned. We had decided on an Italian theme so Gizem and I whipped up some pasta along with a peach crumble for dessert. Don’t worry I picked up some gelato to top it with to stay on theme.
Tuesday meant back to work. I spent the day running through different observational experiments with the “cheeses” I had made. I’m currently working on an article explaining my findings so hopefully soon I’ll have something to show for my work! I also ended up going to the Natural History Museum after I had finished up and had an amazing time exploring. I didn’t end up getting through all of the exhibits so I guess I’ll have to go back soon!
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to attend the Black Space History Event hosted by the White House National Space Council. Inspiring figures in anything space-related were present such as Dr. Mae Jemison and Dr. Sian Proctor. I appreciated the variety of people that sat on the panels. There were conversations between astronauts and filmmakers, CEO’s and actresses. It was incredible to watch as they discussed topics that are not typically covered in everyday media. If you have the time, I strongly suggest watching some of the panels. I haven’t found the link yet but I’ll include it in my blog post next week for sure!
Thursday was insane. Plain and simple. The interns all came to ACP for a talk with Dr. John Mather, a senior Astrophysicist at NASA who was awarded a Nobel Prize in Physics in 2006 for his work with cosmic microwave background radiation. We were able to sit down to lunch with him as well as listen to his presentation on his life and work. It was an out-of-this-world (hehe) opportunity I don’t think I would have been given anywhere else. Also, he told me good luck on my future endeavors so I will be riding that high for the rest of the summer.
Now for this weekend. Though I wasn’t able to go to Astronomy on the Mall, I still saw the stars. On Friday, I left early in the morning to go home for both my sister's dance recital along with the Taylor Swift concert. I was Enchanted by the concert. However, the true highlight of the weekend was when A State of Grace Schierenbeck absolutely killed her role as Rapunzel in her studio’s production of “Tangled”. That was the Moment I Knew how much of a Lucky One I am to get to know and Lover. It was The Best Day and I Wish You Would Never Grow Up. Obviously, This is Me Trying to fit as many Taylor Swift references as I can into one paragraph. But, I’m sure you guys knew that All Too Well.
It is now Monday and I’m spending time with my family before I head back home early tomorrow morning. I’m a little sad that I missed all of the excitement in DC this weekend, but I’m glad I got to be a Girl at Home for a bit:)
Until next week!
P.S. Gizem I promise I'll be back SO soon AND I have new recipe to try:)
Brynn Schierenbeck