Congratulations!
Today is my day.
I’m off to Canada
I’m off and away!
I’m off to Yellowknife, Canada in pursuit of the Aurora Borealis. I have seen it once, but once is not enough for me. I was much to young to fully appreciate the brilliance and motion of the dancing bands of light. Nor did I understand the science behind photon emission as solar particles collided with the atmosphere and emit differing bands of color. Now the spiritualist, the artist, and the scientist in me all need to see the Northern Lights again.
So I began a mission to get far enough north this year to find them. This year is the peak of the 11-year magnetic cycle of the sun, the point of the highest solar emissions and therefore the most brilliant aurora displays at the poles. The clock was ticking. A few dead-ends and failed proposals and I stumbled upon the impending deadline for the Venture Grant. Write a proposal with budget during the first week of one of the hardest classes I have taken thus far for my major? Challenge Accepted. And Executed. This lucky Venture Grant recipient is headed to photograph the Northern Lights and investigate the relationship between the lights and their possible effects on the people who witness them, myself included.
And things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.
I don’t have many concrete plans for this trip, which is out of character for me, but so far I am thoroughly enjoying the relaxed nature of my expedition. There are some great Aurora viewing communities and amenities in Yellowknife, and the whole city seems fairly similar to my moderately sized hometown in Minnesota. Except a lot colder.
You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.
With the journey underway, it is with deep and sincere gratitude that I send out a few thank you’s to those who helped make this trip happen. Thanks to the Venture Grant committee and the Anthropology Department for making this journey possible. I think it’s a great idea, but thanks to both departments for believing in it as well. Millions of thank you’s to Stanley, the Yoda of photography, for lending me his camera. I’ll do my best to make you proud! Thank you to Ari for lending me a jacket, I am going to be the prettiest giraffe Northern Canada has ever seen! Thanks to everyone who encourages my ridiculous schemes, encouraging me to be not just a dreamer, but a do-er too. And thanks to Dr. Seuss for one of the most inspirational books regardless of your age.
I’m off to the Great Places!
Today is my day!
The Lights are waiting,
So…I’m on my way!
