Although I was very hesitant to move away from almost a year of thinking and planning...I also came to realize that this was an opportunity that I would be wise not to pass up ? and happy to pursue. For the past two semesters at the Nicholas School, first the weekly wonderland of GIS Fundamentals labs and online quizzes and next the cutting-edge Conservation GIS filled up (all of my) days and my mind's focus. Now in the third semester studying Satellite Remote Sensing and working toward the Certificate in Geospatial Analysis, it makes a lot of sense to me to also be doing an MP that functions as a capstone to such studies and a solidifying of such skills. I also take comfort in the (although highly technical) relatively straight forward and results-focused nature of a geospatial project as I look ahead at the busy months towards graduation.

I've also been spending a bunch of time trying to figure what will boost my marketability towards Japanese firms in the environmental sector. I take the official government of Japan language proficiency test next month, but I've already passed (in practice tests) the typical requirement for foreigners -- the ?level 2? (level 1 being the highest) test. Knowing that my language abilities are up to snuff to function in the Japanese workplace is comforting, but probably not enough to land me a job. Hiring foreigners in Japan is a hassle for companies as they have to sponsor my visa and have to expect a higher turnover rate than Japanese nationals. The Japanese process of applying for jobs is also famously long, like 3 or 4 months of testing, interviews, and waiting. I'm hoping it will be a little different for foreigners. I met someone who has suggested that she could MAYBE get me an internship at Japan's environmental ministry, so that will be my first goal. I'll also be checking out if there are opportunities at this years round of G8 talks, up in Hokkaido, at a lake resort near Sapporo. After that, I'll be seeing what's out there in terms of international consulting firms, international NGOs, and industry.

This past Friday, myself and three other Nick Schoolers (Carla Frisch, Amy Dao, and Jennie Dean) took a trip over to Counter Culture Coffee, a fair trade driven roastery based out of Durham. The occasion was their weekly ?cuppings? where we joined about twenty others in a blind taste test of three of the coffees that they were currently roasting. It turned out to be along the lines of a wine testing, but possibly much more intense! The coffees were judged for their aroma immediately after having hot water poured over them and once again after the cups were ?broken?, a mixing of the grounds (with our individual spoons) that settled to the tops of the cups. Next, each sample was evaluated for its brightness, flavor, body and aftertaste. Sampling was performed dipping a spoon into each cup a slurping it up aggressively to aerate the sample. Lots of loud slurping! Afterwards the group convened and discussed each coffee calling out opinions about each characteristic ? with some pretty wild comments, like aromas of Parmesan cheese, alfalfa, cedar, thyme and barbecue sauce! Our guide then explained where the coffees came from, getting into things like the ?terroir? of each region. Counter Culture Coffee works directly with farmers who practice sustainable agriculture and offers prices significantly higher than the official ?fair-trade? coffee. I was impressed ? good company, nice people, good coffee.