Coring for Diatoms!

Over the weekend I spent time coring down to the surface of the landslide in order to get the organic matter directly above the landslide in order to date it. We are also using the diatom and pollen record from the cores to create a climate record since the landslide.

 Above and Below: The mega landslide we are working on. The first day went well and we collected two cores. Brian lost a silver handle down one of the core holes, but we were able to retrieve it. It was hard grueling work, but incredibly fun!!! I have videos of the process, but for some reason they don't want to upload and I am too tired to work it out so that they work.

 Below: On Saturday our core got stuck about 6ft under. :( Also on Saturday was the beginning of hunting season, so it was just a little nerve wracking not wearing orange in an area where there were a bunch of hunters.

 Below: Trying to drill around the stuck core to try to get it out.

 Below: Eric ended up digging for it with a  tiny shovel. It was hard ground. He was definitely a trooper

 Below: Ryan was sad that coring didn't work out that day. It is his research after all. I felt bad for him. :(

 Below: Taking out excess dirt. More dirt faster!!!!

Below: Kevin augering around the stuck core to try to loosen it.

 Below: Trying to pull out the core!

 Below: He got it!!! They unstuck the 400 dollar core! They deserved a huge juicy steak....instead we went to Wendys.

 Below The dark spot is the covered hole. It is a beautiful place to work......we were about 8500- 9500 ft above sea level.

Senioritis

Well, I still have some of the pain and it's been two weeks since I've seen the doctor. I have improved so much though! I can do the dishes, unpack our belongings, go to class, and even go out into the field!

Today....I don't know how I feel. I guess senioritis is setting in-- especially since I wasn't able to do school work when I was motivated to do well. I might be tired of school for now. Graduate school is definitely in my future, but I will wait for Daniel to graduate a year after me and then we will decide which schools to go to for further education.

I guess it's starting to hit me that my undergraduate career is almost over! After getting a Chemistry Associates and a Geology Degree, I don't think the time is quite so wasted.

If I am being completely, 100%, bluntly honest....I feel like my education is nearly complete (minus the masters). I think over this long period of going to school and everything being fairly the same every semester I have decided I am ready for the unexpected. A huge change in what I am use to. I told Daniel...a little out of tired anger that I never wanted to be a stay at home mom. Well.....that isn't true. Deep down...or not so very deep down....I yearn to have adorable little Gunnells tag along by my side calling me "mom".

I do want to go to school for a masters....I do want to eventually get a job to help support my family....but I also want to spend some time teaching my children about life and more importantly about the gospel.

When will this day come? Haha....well, I really don't know quite yet. But since I am graduating soon it's something that is always in my mind.