Wishlist :)

Welcome to commercial America-- All the christmas ads have got me thinking of some of the things on MY wishlist.  Who knows, maybe some fabulous friend or family member will make a little magic for me.  :)  So here it is:

Seeds :) I'm starting a collection

I ALWAYS Need Socks! Especially wool hiking socks!

Hiking Boots from KEEN

For summer hikes, canoe rides, kayaking, beach/island visits :) 

I really need a futon.

Back to work.

End of another semester, and it's been a busy one!

ONE statistics class, 

        TWO ESA conferences (ecology and entomolgy),

                THREE research papers in the works! 

(see what I did there?)  

As if research and my statistics coursework weren't enough, I've been kept busy with work as (1) a tutor (2) a Structured Learning Assistant and (3) a Success Coach (think academic advisor, peer mentor, and motivational speaker wrapped up into one job).

In the next 5 months I'll be analyzing data, writing (hopefully publishing), and (again, hopefully) graduating with my Master's in Environmental Science. When I'm done with that, I'll get my doctorate, somehow, but I'll worry about that later.

Back to work.

Occupy Cleveland Kyle DeForrest sings the Hit //Welcome to the Revolutio...

Occupy Cleveland-Kyle DeForrest "99 to 1"- 11-17-11 019.MOV

ESA-RENO 2011 OVERVIEW

The past week I’ve had the opportunity to listen to seminars, workshops, and symposia, speak and network with top researchers in my field, and learn new strategies, theories, and discoveries in entomology. I’ve been in Reno, Nevada at the 2011 Entomological Society of America’s Annual meeting.

I presented a poster on my research (parasitoid wasp diversity in urban agro-ecosystems) and received incredibly insightful and constructive feedback on my work. I am actively looking for doctorate programs, and ESA was an incredibly valuable opportunity to speak with several potential advisors as well as students from their labs. This first impression will really help down the line (in the next few weeks) when I choose which schools/labs to apply to.

Among the conversations I had, several were on the different opportunities available to those who hold a phD in entomology and ecology. Understanding how state and private university assignments differ, the opportunities available in industry, and the ongoing and ever changing systems of sharing the knowledge gained by research has really helped to develop my own understanding of the field of entomology, and how it can relate to EVERY OTHER SCIENTIFIC FIELD.

STRESS.

Doc says I've got to reduce my stress, so I did some research. Stress can kill brain cells, add fat, unravel chromosomes, shorten telomeres (increase aging), cause low IQ and mental disabilities in offspring (yes offspring, this is SCIENCE)(when fetus is exposed to high stress levels), and shuts down nonessential body systems (digestion, immune). Top ways to reduce stress? Social interaction, especially connecting with and helping others. (Check) Taking on leadership roles. (Check) Taking action and producing change. (Check) SO. I've formulated the Better World Hypothesis: Work towards creating a better world, help others, take action, be creative, and TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE. Stress will be reduced. Health will be better. Awesomeness will be at maximum. If everyone does this: World Peace. As long as we can all reach a consensus. (Studies on Baboon societies prove this -- I think it could work for our species too.) I'm a scientist. I can handle this.


Side note for Occupy crew: In baboons it took six months to reach a consensus with the rest of society, hang in there!

Connecting People with Decision Makers

It seems to me that one of the biggest issues today is finding ways to connect decision makers with citizens.  While citizens should take personal responsibility for maintaining their knowledge of and taking action on today's issues, the great majority do not.  This standard of ignorance has begun to shift, one example being the Occupy Wall Street protests and the anti-occupy groups that represent the opposing opinions.  This shift, from a largely apathetic nation to one with increasing public awareness, brings forth a question:  Who is responsible for the continued education of the nation?  Yes, the responsible citizen seeks out an unbiased source of knowledge and will make decisions based on their own opinions.  But precious few seem to take the time to do this.  Americans want easy answers to difficult questions, this is due in part to our evolution into a low context culture.

Is it then, the responsibility of government to present the information?  If so, how can that information be presented in a way that is cost-effective, simple to manage, and easy to access?

There are several issues linked to this problem, the country's failing school systems, for example. If students graduating high school can barely read, how can they process and understand the importance of complex issues?  How many will vote based on advertising alone?  How many will not vote at all?

I don't have all the answers, and I know that there will always be the apathetic, I only hope that it will become an apathetic few.  Fixing the school system, enforcing transparency in government, eliminating corruption, and finding the dynamic, intelligent, and honest few who have the ambition and vision to lead this country is a difficult task.  Keeping those decision makers connected to the people is even more difficult.  Social networking and other technologies are the future of communication.  Design must meet government, and find a way.

Dispatch from Cleveland: Occupy Wall Street Moves to the Midwest - The Takeaway

Dispatch from Cleveland: Occupy Wall Street Moves to the Midwest - The Takeaway

So, my brother was interviewed by the BBC! Check out his facebook page @ http://www.facebook.com/kyledeforrestmusic

13 Things

I am:

1.  Starting an environmental education outreach program with a student group on campus.
2. Volunteering twice a week as a "Conversation Partner" in an English as a second language assistance program.
3. Working 20 (really closer to 25) hours a week as a tutor, structured learning assistant, and success coach.
4. Going to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History twice a week to database my 2010 insect collection.
5. Statistics class.
6. Learning how to run.  Slowly.
7. Being an awesome dog-mom.
8. Reading two papers a week on parasitoid wasps, urban ecology, urban entomology, and/or other cool science.
9.  Getting materials together for my doctorate program applications (eep)
10. Getting materials (DATA) together for the Entomological Society of America conference in Reno, NV, November 13-17.
11. Figuring out football and trying (really) to be interested.
12. Reading my new American Entomologist.
13. Trying to not lose my mind.

love,
Klaire

Change!

In the past month much much much has happened.

1. New Apartment
2. New Car (Named Gloria)
3. New Dog (Named Zoey)
4. Reunited with Charlie (the cat)
5. New Courses! (Statistics, eep!)
6. New plan (more on this later!)
7. New club + outreach program! (woo!)

Upcoming events:
November: Entomology meeting!
December 1st: Applications due for PhD programs (eep)


SO MUCH TO DO! (So little time.)