What's going on at work

The job as the Associate Program Scientist for the ISS is going well after a little over 2 months. Now that I'm here, I feel like I've been here awhile, pretty much at home and comfortable. The uncomfortable part revolves around the fact that there are no processes like there were in my previous position in flight hardware. It's a little nice, but since I'm a control freak, I feel like I could miss something important without a process to catch me. Currently, my "work instruction" is a meticulously-kept notebook of my own actions and questions.

I'm still in learning mode. There is a whole suite of terminology here I'm trying to understand. Sometimes I kick myself when I can't answer questions readily and say, "uhhh...I'll have to get back to you..." but then I'm reminded I'm fairly new here.

It doesn't matter, I still kick myself because that's just what I do. I like to be really good at what I am doing, whatever it is. It's been awhile since I've been in the learning stage of something at work, so I am trying to accept it. Still, there are fleeting moments of my leadership capabilities which fuel my self esteem and keep me going.

Like I am starting to get the hang of presenting at higher-level meetings without my voice cracking. Bonus.

I survived media training (but nobody "normal" really likes to see themselves answer tough interview questions-though fake- in front of their boss and boss's boss and co-workers on a huge projection screen). Whew.

I was part of a neat phone call last week to the on-orbit crew to discuss science experiments they're doing.

I'm currently working with Public Affairs on a story about the COLBERT and the other exercise equipment up on the ISS and what kind of data they collect to support human research.

There's probably more I'm not covering, but it's just not as much fun to talk about :) . In the end, I am really enjoying this position and am learning tons of stuff. It was soooooo the right move for me.

Now, on to pick up the Boogie-Marie and then administer Exam 3 to my Human Physiology class. No more lectures. Just this exam and the final on Friday.

Yeah, baby. I actually have been asleep by 9:30pm the past few nights. Just like the old days.