We arrived on Saturday after a beautiful drive through Virginia. Running along the general strike of NNE to SSW while driving through the Appalachians provided an awesome view for the entire I-81 drive the Virginia. The downtown Baltimore area was very welcoming with it newness and modern curb appeal. After the groups check-in at the hotel, we had just enough time to make it to the Saturday evening meet and greet. Several students dressed in their Halloween costumes, and were absolutely the most creative and best dressed in attendance. (Way to represent UALR, geo-peeps!)
Sunday was an amazing experience! My morning consisted of some poster observations and technical sessions, and journey through the extensive GSA 2015 Program. At 1200 hours, myself and two others made our way down to the Baltimore Ravens football game, as they hosted the San Diego Chargers.
We were even able to see the former Raven, Super Bowl winner, and recently retired RAY LEWIS !!! This was great, as I had just said to others around me that I wish I could have seen Ray Lewis play before he retired - Then, a few minutes later, there he was! During the game as a spectator from sky press box, Ray Lewis still had complete control of his former fans and team as he led them in defensive cheering and loudness!
The chargers fell to the Ravens at the end of regulation by a 3-pt field goal that put the Ravens up 26 to 29. What a great way to spend the afternoon! I immediately went back to the conference and had the privilege of visiting with a GSA assigned mentor, someone that has similar interest as myself, and volunteered to help me network with schools and employers throughout the event. The evening was concluded by me visiting UALR students at their poster presentations to observe what they had been working so diligently on for the past semester+. Everyone did an awesome job!
On Monday, I viewed new posters that had been hung and visited with multiple people about the posters and the research that they were doing. I was even discovered purple sand, a natural occurrence someplace in Maine that I happen to be familiar with (Yes Dr. Rene, I will bring you back some almandine-garnet sand from Maine for the sed class). ;) I then attended Ashley Horton's technical session... I must say, GREAT JOB ASHLEY - We're proud of you, you did great!!! Several of us students attended the luncheon "Geology in Government Programs," and were able to speak directly with high positioned government officials about geologic careers in almost every government agency. Moreover, we learned of current positions/internships available for both graduated and non-graduated students, and how to apply for them. My afternoon was spent viewing additional posters that time had previously prevented, then visiting with many of the hundreds of vendors present in the exhibit hall. After an exhausting day, a few students and I decided to grab some pizza's and enjoy a relaxing night in the room. Unfortunately, for some present, they had to watch the Monday night NFL game, and their fantasy NFL Fantasy Football teams become majorly unraveled #ITLLBEOKWILL . HaHaHaHaHa
... This just in - BREAKING NEWS - Two fans seated in the upper level at the Colts and Panthers game decided to tie themselves to the railing in the front of the upper level and repel down in front of the sky-boxes. They hung a banner protesting the refining of a liquid natural gas well located in the area. Although it's semi-appropriate for us, by being at a geology convention, the police are everywhere trying to prevent protests and riots... #THANKFULLYITSNOTINBALTIMORE
See ya soon Tuesday...
- KEVIN GARDNER
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