4 days till I leave for another research trip, this time along the SEQ-NSW coast from Hervey Bay to Port Stephens/ Nelson Bay in NSW. Instead of taking a boat, we’ll be driving; instead of fish, I’ll be surveying invertebrates (mainly urchins and sea stars); and instead of diving in the tropics, we’ll be in nearly temperate waters. I’ll still be laying transects, marking counts on slates, taking photos, etc.
It’s been nearly 8 month since my last research trip (Ashmore). I suppose I miss it in a way – being away from the usual routine of daily life and assuming a different schedule, one involving plenty of in-water time. It’s diving – how could I refuse? And yet… it just isn’t novel anymore. Gear up, get in, do the task, surface, repeat. When I’m ‘on surface interval’ (however long that may be) part of me yearns to be working again; but when the time comes I wish for more… excitement.
A tiger shark might just do the trick. It’s too early for whales.
It just seems like days ago (3 weeks) since I returned from the 3-week stint in Hobart, and now I’m off again. Where did the time go?
Apparently Singaporeans actually get to vote in the upcoming elections. Yi suggested I register as an overseas elector; I did the math and realised I’ve spent less than 30 days in Singapore in the last 3 years. You can tell how little I miss the country.
