Aiming higher

Finally, I leave Hawaii on next Monday.
It is the moment I feel a lot of things.
I have to say good bye to many people for the moment and so I am a little sentimental.
For my work, I also think many things.

Last year, I had good motivation for my new project. It was great to see many people in Hawaii and to discuss with people in similar field and different field. However, I had a difficulty as well. My supervisor said that I can't use the data which I supposed to analyze. Maybe it was just because the data was not yet available, but I felt it was a political problem. Actually, I couldn't clarify the truth and I lost much motivation for my new project.

However, nature saved my motivation.

Halemaumau Crater in the day

Halemaumau Crater in the night

Halemaumau crater, which erupted in 2008 (most recent eruption), still emits hot gas. During the night, we can see red color because there is a hot lava lake in the crater. I was very happy to see such mysterious nature.
Even though I worked for simple tasks in the field such as digging, measuring bombs and taking grain-size sample, I feel happy to be on the volcano.

Digging the ground to take out the volcanic bomb

My field work is not fancy at all!!

Today, I discussed again with one guy. He gave me a good advice to work as a researcher. He is quite cheerful person as well. I am actually very honored to discuss with him because he is an specialist in numerical modeling of volcanic eruption. I asked him about the support, but he can't support me as he is already retired. However, he said that he recommends me to be independent ... with a smile.

"Wow, it must be great to be independent!", I thought. I was pouting like a small child when I lost some motivation for the work. If I will be independent, I don't need to rely on someone and pout like a child. I can be an adult as a researcher. And... it is possible, I thought.

I made an mind. I aim to be independent as a researcher. Aiming higher!!!