As my first quarter in Irvine draws to a close, I figured I'd finally make a post for this blog! My original ambition for posting once every few weeks to once a month has not quite come to fruition, but given the big move, I think that's okay. Needless to say, it's been a whirlwind. Many things have been hard to get used to; it took me a long time to adjust to the distance from home and differing time zones. Balancing coursework and research is a whole different beast - one I am still acclimatising to - but the sun and the warm weather has been an easy (and very welcome) adjustment. Whilst moving away from everyone I knew was a crazy risk, I am incredibly lucky that UCI has welcomed me with open arms, with new friends coming from both the Earth System Science (ESS) department and No Voice Alone (NOVA), the a capella group I have been so lucky to join. Despite the ups and downs, I have overall very much enjoyed my first quarter. Here are some of the highlights so far! FAMILY...