Dear Friends and Family,

Exciting news! I’ve just been informed that I’ve been hired at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum at least until May 2006, if not beyond. Until May, I’ll be in an interim position, planning Family Day events at the Museum (the lady who currently runs these will be going on leave- she’s pregnant!), helping conduct teacher workshops, running discovery stations (where I teach the public about astronomy, flight, and space suits), and being an all-around support person to the education staff.

NASA Endings
To give you an overview- I left NASA come the beginning of September. Before I left, I had an excellent time at a NASA Biodiversity and Ecological Forecasting Conference where I was a note-taker for Woody Turner of the Science Missions Directorate (did that sound like a bunch of mumble-jumble?) Well, to put it simply, I watched how NASA and its contractors use satellite data to monitor wildlife and change in the environment so 1) we can better understand these systems and 2) they can distribute the data to the people who need it: policy makers around the globe, and farmers alike. It was fascinating! I left my research project with NASA, if you recall- “The 50 years of Scientific Accomplishment at NASA,” by reading and sorting out the science fiction the partly spurred on the Space Age- how fun is that! I especially enjoyed reading some of H.G. Wells’ work- man was he a talented writer, and funny too. I tried not to laugh too much so that I wouldn’t bug the people in the cubicles around me.

Finally, a break
Next I spent a week at home in Redlands. I was so worn out from finishing college and the sudden onset of DC, that I forced myself to just sit for loooong periods of time and just zone. I did enjoy a fun bike-ride with Dad (he got a flat) and chats with Mom and Kat.

Smithsonian Internship
Now my Smithsonian internship has been a roller coaster ride. Ready to take the dive? The first night, Tom Hanks came to the Museum to promote the opening of the IMAX movie “Magnificent Desolation,” about man’s past and future (didn’t you know?) endeavors to the Moon. I stayed the night to help the education staff teach people about space suits- which I relished- but mostly so I could see Tom Hanks ;o) (Imagine the scene: the entrance of the Museum, a huge room with historic planes hanging all about, dressed up people buzzing around with cocktails in their hands and a candle-lit like atmosphere with the central focus on the red carpet). He spent an hour with his wife on the red carpet to talk to the cameras, and during the five minutes when I went to watch him talking, I started small talk with a lady also standing by herself. I told her that I was a new intern and how exciting this was and she told me she was Tom Hanks’ hairdresser!!! On top of this all, I saw people from NASA that I had worked with over the summer, and who were hosting the other spectacles of the night, Buzz Aldrin (astronaut) and Michael Griffin (NASA Administrator). I embarrassed myself about a dozen times over the course of the evening- interrupting conversations because I was so excited to see one of the members, or grabbing a drink glass after I’d failed to recognize that there was a line, right in front of me, where people were waiting to be served their drinks (and the head public affairs officer from NASA was the next on-line). Aargh and yippee! What a way to start!
The Museum is fun for all sorts of things like that: I received a mail message recently that said: ‘If anyone would like to give a tour to Robert DeNiro on Saturday, please let me know…’ Most of the Museum’s staff feel apathetic towards the fame that passes through- there is a special event practically every night! However, my boss was NOT apathetic towards the coming of John Dobson- the inventor of the Dobsonian telescopes. David and I were his hosts- we took pictures with him in front of Herschel’s telescope, David gave him a tour and recorded a short oral history with him which I get to transcribe. (I’m also editing Steve Maran’s oral history!) Another cool event recently occurred- Space Ship One was donated to the Museum and I witnessed the donation ceremony and later walked within 2 feet of Rutan, the designer, on the elevator. Ten hours a week I conduct research. I work with Dr. Jeff Rosendhal- the program head/scientist of a number of NASA’s past missions, to discover the effect of the Space Age on the profession of astronomy. He’s so informative and not condescending- a great mentor.
Additionally, I’m helping Education with some events and teaching the public about black holes, sizes & distances in the Universe, and about space suits on a regular basis through the Museum’s Discovery Carts… a simple mode of informal astronomy education. And finally, and the BEST of all (in my mind) in my own time I’m training to become a planetarium presenter for the museum. Hallelujah!!!!! By this time, I’ve read up a bit on being a better presenter and I’m stoked about implementing them.
The hardest thing about the internship is currently communication- how to be myself while trying to prove myself to my boss(es).

Cherry on Top
If it seems like a lot, IT IS!!! Bugger, I’m a student too! In the midst, I’m developing fine fellowship. Some friends and I went to the DC Festival (huge Christian concert event with Luis Palau) where I kinda feel like my university experience has been brought full circle (there was a similar event in Santa Cruz the very first week I began university), and a Chris Tomlin/Matt Redman concert with friends. I’ve decided that my church in DC is to be Calvary Chapel DC Metro(God’s call!). It’s a small church- meeting in a large classroom, not what I’m accustomed to, but an ever-so-delightful community. Not many are my age- most are families- but thankfully, God’s given me fellowship my age elsewhere in DC, and I see that this body will be a fine place for spiritual growth.

Be assured, I’m growing more in love with the Dude more every day. He that made the Universe and yet stoops down to meet me where I’m at, and gives me strength to be more than I can. Hallelujah!

“Who imagined the Sun and gave source to its light,
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolest of nights:
None can fathom.”
- Chris Tomlin, “Indescribable”

I’d LOVE to hear your updates.

Lots of love, Michelle