21.03.2021
After some really cold days in February where even the baltic started freezing, finally the weather became a little warmer again in Kiel. When I say “a little“, I really mean “a little“. One cannot really say that it is warm yet when the water is like 2-3°C and air temperature is around 5°C.
However, this did not stop us from going on the water. The last few weekends I was out windsurfing and I really feel like every time I am on the water now, I am improving. Such a good feeling! Especially with all the home office work, it is so nice to get away from the desk and clear my mind. I am pretty glad that my boyfriend Kim who is a kitesurfer and I can share this passion on the water. The good thing about doing watersports on these cold days is when you get home and take a long hot shower to become warm again, put some cozy clothes on and then eat a hot meal. :) But I have to admit, I really hate wearing gloves - so I just hope that spring is coming soon!
Within the next 1-2 weeks I will also get my Europe dinghy back to Kiel. Then I can finally go sailing again as well. I miss sailing so much, but at least I was out almost the entire winter with my windsurf board, so that is at least a pretty good compensation. I wonder how many regattas will take place this year. Some days ago Kiel Week got postponed to September. That suits me sooo well! On the normal date of Kiel Week in the end of June I am in a hotel quarantine for a 52 days research cruise. So due to the postponement I actually will be able to sail Kiel Week - in case I get on the entry list. So far I am 2nd on the waiting list. So fingers crossed! Would be so cool if I could sail my favorite regatta of the year.
Working for my PhD has its ups and downs - I guess that is how it has to be. However, all in all I am motivated and keen to do my research :). In April the European Geosciences Union is coming up. This is Europe’s largest conference for geosciences which of course will be held online due to the pandemic. Pretty excited how this is going to be. Then in June, I am going on a two months research cruise including quarantine. This is going to be an exceptional experience, but at least we are able to do our research despite these weird times. So I am having a happy eye and a whiny eye about this cruise. Whiny because I will miss the entire summer at home, best time for sailing and windsurfing - happy because a research cruise is always exciting and you learn so many things. But until then I will go on the water as much as I can! :)
