GIS......

Well, I've avoided learning about GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for as long as possible and today I sat in on a workshop presented by NOAA to learn the applications of and how to use ArcGIS. I must say it was a bit overwhelming since I'm totally illiterate when it comes to mapping programs and software. The idea behind GIS is that you can use data that you collect and put it on maps and charts to portray things like bathymetry (depth), ground cover, percent cover (how much of a certain type of organism is present), etc. For more info, try: http://www.gis.com/. The trick is knowing how to put your data onto these maps so that it becomes useful for others. Is a whole other language than what I'm used to, but I can see how useful this data can be and how enormous the possibilities are!
Anyway, after a day of learning (haven't done anything like that in awhile), I'm really tired! The cool thing is that I got to see and meet some people associated with the Paphanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, home of the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. They work closely with NOAA and we share a lot of the same resources and databases with them. For more info: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/Welcome.html The office is located right on the water just east of Diamond Head (again a beautiful lunch spot). I have to go back tomorrow and will try and get some pictures!
Take care!

It's Tuesday!

Aloha everyone!
For my second day of work, I was bound and determine to make myself useful. After an orientation meeting this morning (they do a lot of orienting here!), I sent a quick email to Scott Ferguson who is the head of the benthic survey team to find out who I should report to. I found out that I am working with the coral/algae team and that I could ask anyone on the team if they needed some help. So, I met up with Sarah (she was a new hire last year and can relate to what I'm going through!) and she actually had something for me to do: data entry and QC (quality control to ensure all the data is entered into the database properly). She has been working on a database to enter 5 years worth of towboard coral survey data (for info on what towboarding is, take a look at http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred/towboard.php). As part of the benthic survey team, I will eventually get to learn how to towboard and take surveys that way!!!! Well, that definitely gave me LOTS to do! I'm happy to help though!

I also got to meet with Peter Vroom who is the algal specialist here- they are making it a point to get us newbies involved with as many aspect of the projects as possible- the idea is to not have specialists anymore, but make everyone knowledgeable about all aspects of the project! (I think it's a great idea as long as it serves it's purpose and doesn't make things too overwhelming or overload anyone with too much!). Peter has a nice collection of algae that's been collected from all over the Pacific- some places have never had collections or algal IDs made before they started taking cruises there! So, he's got lots of side projects for us to work on if we ever find ourselves with some extra time (where was he yesterday?)!
So, as I continue to settle in, I'm finding my colleagues to be very nice, helpful, and encouraging for me to learn as much as possible!
Steph

My first day!

So, for my first day of work, I met a lot of people, filled out a lot of paperwork, and studied a lot of coral, algae and fish pictures! I'm one of six new employees and everyone seems pretty excited that we are there, they just don't seem to know what to do with us yet. I guess everyone is just getting back from the holidays and they are gearing up for a reseach cruise that leaves at the end of the month for American Samoa (unfortunately I won't be NOAA dive certified to participate in that cruise!). Therefore, we were given a tour of the facility (they also house injured or orphaned monk seals, but they are kept out of site to prevent any affect of human handling) and then shown our desks in a trailer (all of the offices there are in trailers located outside of a big warehouse). That's about it! Everyone keeps saying to enjoy this down time because before too long we won't a single second of the day!

There are lots of programs located at the Kewalo Basin Research Facility (located right on the beach where we get to have lunch!)- benthic survey (which would include coral, algae, invertebrates, etc), oceanography, fish survey, and marine debris removal. I seem to be getting placed with the benthic survey team- which is great with me- that's exactly what I've been wanting to do! However, I have a lot of species to learn and identify!

I'm hoping for much more exciting news about the job for tomorrow, but until then, take care!

Steph

A beach with a view!

After making a trip past my office to make sure I won't get lost tomorrow for my first day, I made it to the Ala Moana beach and got my toes in the sand! It seems like a great spot for swimming, snorkelling and paddle boarding- there's a big shallow area protected from the waves by rocks.

There is a great view of Diamond Head and a favorite spot of locals to view the sunset.

It felt good to read a book and soak in a little sun- made me finally feel like I live here now! I look forward to many more days at the beach and many more sunsets!

Until tomorrow.....Steph

View from Home

Thought I would post a few more pictures from home!

The first is a picture of the view down into the city from my backyard (you kind of have to look through the trees and over the neighbor's yard!).



Second, we have Jack the dog- he's really a sweetie! He's deperately trying to make friends with the girls!





Also, I have a wonderful view of Diamond Head from the top of my street.




And, this is the house I live in.....I enter the backyard on the left and then go into the back of the house under the deck!

Well, I'm off to the beach....FINALLY!

Aloha!

Shopping....

Hello everyone!
First, I would like to say thanks to all who have checked out the blog- I know it's slow right now, but I'm hoping to be able to spice things up soon with some more pictures!
After feeling under the weather yesterday, I got some things done around the apartment.....mostly I went to Wal-Mart and the grocery store. I know, you would think I could find some local place to shop and stay away from the mainstream Wal-Mart, but being this far away from home, I felt I needed a little taste of home!
Anyway, lots of people have been telling me how expensive it is to live in Hawaii- like a gallon of milk is $8 and gas is really expensive. Well, some of it is true and some is not.
1) a gallon of milk is $4.77 which is only about 70 cents more than the last time I bought milk
2) gas is really only about 30 cents more a gallon
3) a seven layer burrito, nachos supreme, medium drink and a caramel apple empanada from Taco Bell is $7.33 (which is about $2.50 more than on the mainland)
4) apples, citrus and pineapples are pretty cheap while lettuce, cucumbers and carrots are not!
5) frozen cheezy garlic bread is almost $3 more here
6) a six pack of Newcastle was only $9.99 (about $1 more than in Florida).
So, I guess I am going to pay more for some comforts that I am used to!
Check back soon for pictures- I hope to get to the beach tomorrow!
Steph

I'm Here!

Aloha! After 11 and 1/2 hours of flying, really bad airline food, and Pudge and Trouble having to spend the night in jail....we are finally at our new home!

My flight got in yesterday (1/2/08) around 2:30 pm. After not being able to get the girls from quarantine (there was a problem with their microchips), I met with my landlord at my new place (with Welcome orchids from Chris, Rich and the boys!)! It's a downstairs apartment in their house with a full bedroom, bath, kitchen and living area. They have been working hard over the past month to make some improvements to the place, so I now have pergo floors in the living area, new french doors out into the backyard, a new breakfast bar, and fresh coats of paint. The girls will be sharing the backyard (which has a small view down the valley into the city) with Jack, a lab mix dog who belongs to Alison and Martin (my landlords). My place is small, but very clean and cozy and I think that my landlords are going to be excellent resources for a new "Haule" (or white mainlander) to the area!

I was able to get things sorted out this morning and sprung the girls from the pokie around 2 pm today! I brought them home and they have recooperated nicely- they have already found cool places to hang out, like the built-in shelves in the bedroom!

After dropping the girls off at home, I had to rush off for a meeting with Human Resources to get all of my new hire paperwork taken care of. I was also fingerprinted and photographed for my new ID card! I have been cleared to start work on Monday, but am going to go in tomorrow (Friday) to meet some of the people I will actually be working with.

I hope this finds everyone well and enjoying the new year!

Aloha! Steph