Widia's Sojourn

Friday, 29 September 2017

I was the one most excited to visit NASA Johnson Space Center, I thought if I go to Houston NASA must be the first destination to be visited!

Started by Adi’s apartment, It’s about 26.7 miles South East far from the Downtown Houston. We arrived at around 10 AM and then getting the general admission ticket for $29.95 [kalo dirupiahkan yaa sekitar 406rbu, semakin ga berharga duit rupiah yaaa hahaha]

• Exploring Astronaut Gallery
  Exploring collection of spacesuits of space exploration & reading the information around the exhibition (One of them Kathryn Sullivan was an earth scientist who became the first woman to accomplish a spacewalk! Cool!)For detail can be seen on: https://spacecenter.org/exhibits-and-experiences/astronaut-gallery/
  
  
  
  
• Exploring Mission Mars
  Did you know Martian movie? Yeah we all know that NASA aims to achieve by exploring mars to find out what it can teach us about the earth and the universe. And there’s also, provide the artificial texture of mars rocks and we can play on it, and sending virtual mars ticket flight (just for fun hehe)
  For detail can be seen on https://spacecenter.org/exhibits-and-experiences/mission-mars/
  
  
  
  
• International Space Station Gallery, Independence Plaza & Starship Gallery 
  For detail can be seen on https://spacecenter.org/exhibits-and-experiences/iss-gallery/ ; https://spacecenter.org/exhibits-and-experiences/independence/; https://spacecenter.org/exhibits-and-experiences/starship-gallery/
  
  Having a lunch at NASA Cafeteria, McDonald's forevaaaaa.. hahaha
  
  
  
  
  
• Watching Films & Live presentation
  In this part, we saw how astronauts live aboard, how they eat, sleep, pee, & doing the space work in International Space Station.  For detail can be seen on https://spacecenter.org/exhibits-and-experiences/films-and-presentations/
  
  
• NASA Tram Tour
  Visiting Rocket Park Tour, Astronaut Training Facility tour, Mission Control Center tour ( iconic Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control & Apollo Mission Control Center). For detail can be seen on https://spacecenter.org/exhibits-and-experiences/nasa-tram-tour/ 
  Here our pictures!
  
  
  
  
  
  

We watched the ceremonial, from speeches, national anthem, Indonesian traditional dance performance, dinner, dancing and went home

Did you know? luckily my guess for the password WiFi of Houston KJRI was correct! I neeedddd wifiii #FakirWiFi

Having Indonesian cuisines for dinner, duuuhhhh what a delicious after more than a week never had Indonesian food. [Dahlah makanan Indonesia memang tetap terbaik dihati😊]

Thursday, 28 September 2017

Today, I and Tanisa were checking out the hotel at 9 AM, we have been planning to visit Museums. Awaiting Agra & Adi, we grabbed breakfast in McDonald's [McD terus pokoknyaaaa hahaha].

Many SLS Grantee fellows were also waiting in the Lobby hotel before going to the Airport. We have farewell with my roommate, hugging them, Thank you for the amazing experience! Have a safe flight everyone. Keep in touch yaa!

Agra & Adi arrived, so it’s time to go to explore Houston Museums. By the way, previously we already made the travel itinerary where will we go to spend 5 days extension. It’s Thursday and Houston offering FREE MUSEUM VISIT, here’s the schedule:

We have chosen to visit the Houston Museum of Fine Art Houston 10 am – 2 pm, then going to the Houston Museum of Natural Science 2 pm – 5 pm, then enjoying the Hermann Park

1. Houston Museum of Fine Art Houston (MFAH)
   Arrived at Museum district, walking to the Beck building, registered, and got the visitor sticker [Beneran FREE! Savings $15 yaaaa]
   Spending about 3 hours in Museum Fine Arts by starting to explore Antiquities area where world’s ancients arts from Middle east & Mediterranean are shown, Art of the Islamic worlds, Arts of Asia, Photography, Arts od Africa, Oceania & the Americas, American Painting & Sculpture, European Art, Modern & Contemporary Art and the last visiting Light arts.
   It was really cool, but honestly, when I read the story behind the 12th – 16th-century paintings my head felt so overload hahaha. I took a break by sitting in the center of renaissance paintings and had water.
   Here are the photos that were taken during the visit! 
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Houston Museum of Natural Science
   
   Yeah FREE ENTRY! Going to the cafeteria for lunch, Got a McDonalds! McDonalds forever Hahaha [Gitu gitu McD tuh mahal disiniii yaaaa wkwkwk, itupun paling murah, sedih ga sii duit indo ga ada rasanya disinii]
   I was so excited to explore what is exhibited at the Museum of Natural Science! Let’s go, first get the ticket for the Planetarium show (noted that we would not miss the showtime schedule).
   Then getting around the museum, I really loved the part of geological time with the fossils, it was amazing!
   
   The first time to see the planetarium, the Burke Baker Planetarium presented an astronomical show in the full-dome show. I was feeling like flying in space and seeing the International Space Station (ISS). Really cool! (taking the picture/video is not allowed haha). You can visit the websites for the details http://www.hmns.org/planetarium/

5 PM, HMNS’s free time is over! Exact in the front of the Museum of Natural Science is the Sam Houston Monument which is located at the northwest corner of Houston’s Hermann Park (The Houston icon on the SEG17 flyer).  

This monument depicted Sam Houston atop his horse. As I read the information on the monument, Sam Houston (Samuel Houston) was the key figure in the Texas Revolution (1834-1836), so the city of Houston, Texas was named in his honor in 1836.

Sitting on the park bench and enjoying the Mary Gibbs & Jesse H.Jones Reflection Pool with the Pioneer Memorial Obelisk at the end edge center of the pool, feeling fresh with the sides are lined with the beautiful oak trees.

  

The sun goes down, It’s time to have dinner! Adi brought us to The Galleria, from google: The Galleria is an international shopping destination that hosts more than 24 million visitors annually, offers world class shopping with more than 375 stores, 30 restaurants, two hotels, and a full-sized ice rink. 

At the rink level, we tried Mexican food: Chipotle Mexican Grill! [pesen makan paketan rice bowl gitu, enak kok rasanyaaa.. udah laper mah semuanya enaakkkk wkwkwk, Cuma emang porsinya sini tuh gede-gede jadi aku ga abis haha]

Then getting around the Galleria before going home (Adi’s apartment hehe).

[Jadi ini perpajangan hari di Houston numpang nginep di apartement nya si Adi dan ngerepotin Adi kemana-mana siiii… Adiiiii Thank youuuu so much for your kindness to provide us the accommodation during our extra days in Texas!]

Tuesday, 26 September 2017: Visiting University of Houston

Even though we had free time this morning, but we went earlier to the Convention Center. Did you know what were we looking for? FREE BREAKFAST! We got Burrito! Hahaha [Jadi tuh ada booth yang ngasih sarapan gratis, oh God! We’re not going to miss it, mayan cuy hemat Cepek wkwkwk, My first Burrito, enaakkk apalagi geratiss tuh enak bangettt]

Getting around the convention center this morning, watching the booth presentation, buying some fossils & mini rocks. We had one mandatory event to attend the Chevron Careers Presentation at the Student Lounge at 1 PM. Because we had already signed for the UH Geoscience Labs Tour hosted by SEG Wavelets, so we were asking Kathryn permission to skip that event.

The tour started on the third floor of the George R. Brown Convention Center, we were going there seeing around where various seismic acquisition and rock physics analysis equipment from AGL (Allied Geophysical laboratories) were shown. Before going to the University of Houston, you know what? Pak Ozdogan Yilmaz was asking us where the exit direction [Ya Allah pengeeenn poto bareng L]

After that, we were heading to the University of Houston with 7 other participants from various universities around the globe.

Once arrived at the University of Houston, the committee provided us the lunch [Subway, enaaakk cuy, pokoknya apapun yang geratis tuh enak bangetttt hehe]

After that the committee took us to the campus to visit laboratories as follow:

1. Rock Physics Lab (RPL)
   RPL introduction presentation by Coordinating Professor: Dr. De-Hua Han. Then tour the lab, explanation rock physics instrument such as rock properties (seismic velocity, density, rock modulus, porosity, pore fluid, etc). RPL University of Houston has been known for its excellent and world-class Rock Physics research. [Thank God ketemu Pak De-Hua Han yang banyak banget referensi rockphysics yang penulis pake di TA! Splendid! Oiyaa.. by the way, Penulis pengen banget kuliah di University of Houston dan fokus ke riset rock physics, Doakan semoga penulis kesampean yaaa… Aminnnnn]
   

   
   
   
2. Center for Petroleum Geochemistry (CPG)
   CPG Lab tour & explanation by Coordinating Professor: Dr. Adry Bissada
   In CPG Lab, we saw and listened to the explanation of various instruments for TOC analyzers, Source rock analyzer, oil & gas extraction, etc. I got the experience to touch the oil sample extraction on the conical flask.
   
   
   
3. Caribbean Basins, Tectonics, and Hydrocarbons (CBTH)
   CBTH lab tour & explanation by Project Director: Dr.Paul Mann. We found many large technical posters here. The hydrocarbon prospect from the basins & tectonics study always becomes an interesting topic to talk about with all the geological insights, Amazing!
   
   

After completing the UH Lab Tour, we saw around the campus: I saw many Muslims using hijab here including Zohreh as SEG Wavelets host, Yeah Houston is one of the US big cities. Then, going back to the convention center.

Previously, when I arrived in Houston, I emailed Pak Brian Russel that I hope I can meet him. Then, He replied that He will be available for the CGG Booth presentation as scheduled, I truly wanted to see him to thank how I am so grateful for his help during my Bachelor Final Project research. At 15.30 Pak Brian presenting on CGG Booth, I was waiting here, many audiences here. I also already told the booth keeper that I want to meet Pak Brian Russell as I emailed. So, after Pak Brian Russel finished his presentation, He told to Pak Brian I was waiting for him. Then… Hi… Handshake,

Me: “It’s me Widia from Indonesia that you’ve already helped me”
Him: “Yeah, I know you from Koya Suto”
Me: “Yes, Koya Suto helped me to get in touch with you regarding my research”.  
While opening my paper to be shown to him, I asked “I have a doubt for my interpretation that seemed the traps closure flank zone has brightest AVO anomaly, is it okay if I interpret this as the prospective zone?”
Him: “Yes, of course, you can. You might need further study for this. You have great research!”
Me: “Thank you, Sir, btw can I have a picture with you?”
Him: Sure!
Then his colleague helped us for taking the picture. Here it is the picture!

After that, I, Agra and Tanisa visited to the Geotomo Booth where Pak Ozdogan Yilmaz there (For getting a picture! Lol after missed this morning). Pak Yilmaz seemed busy at that time, so We were talking to the Geotomo staff there [Lama gitukan kita ngobrol2nya, eh ujug-ujug Pak Yilmaznya pergiiiii… sedih banget kitaaa udah nungguin lama ga jadi poto bareng, jugaan udah sore gitu siii.. Sedih Huhuhu, yasudahlah setidaknya udah tau aslinya Pak Yilmaz penulis kitab seismic processing hehe]

Then the sun goes down, enjoy the convention center fountain then going back to the hotel. It was an Amazing Day, Thank God!

27 September 2020: Student Chapter Commencement Day

Today is the Commencement Day at 1 PM!

Congratulation to AGH University for the Best Student Chapter of 2017!

So proud of My SEG SC University of Lampung for the award of the SUMMIT RANK Student Chapter!

Thank you for the amazing experience of the SEG/Chevron Student Leadership Symposium & SEG Annual Meeting Houston Texas 2017

Also met the Koya Suto! Thank You Pak Koya Suto for helping me & It was so glad we met again here!

We spent the afternoon at the Convention Center and Discovery Green, which had many pictures!

The last day of the convention, time for farewell, many SLS grantees have a flight tonight and some tomorrow morning. So, Tanisa, Feng, Agra & I have dinner in Flying Houston Saucer. Before going back to the hotel, we grabbed some snacks & water. It was a really great week! Thank youu SEG, Thank you Chevron, and Thank you SEG SC Unila!

Thank you for visiting my blog:))

Monday, 25 September 2017

It’s Monday, one of the Student mandatory activities was attending the opening ceremony and President’s speech of the 87th SEG Annual Meeting in the convention center (Kathryn was waiting for us at the hall gate and checking out your attendance)

[pola tidur udah bener dan bangun kesiangan jam 8 padahal acara jam 8.30 wkwk, dan pas jalan kaki itu lho harus banget nungguin lampu ijo, kadang ga sabar hayatii wkwkwk. Terus ditanyainkan “hangingout dimana dan gimana semalem?” “cuma ditidur doank” wkwk.. sok alimm ga ngikut ke pub hihi]

10.30 AM, We have the next mandatory to attend the presentation about Interviewing Skill from Chevron at the Student Lounge, I asked a question about “the amount of expected salary asked by the interviewer, should we tell/write the exact amount or not or how? while we’re fresh graduate less than a year experience?” and the answer was “it’s okay to tell your expected salary but you have to research the range for fresh graduate and range for it such company you’re applying for”. [Siap siap nih udah mau lulus hahaha]

After finishing it, we’re [berlima yg semua Asian] going to get lunch in Houston Center in McKinney St. a few blocks from Convention Center. At the first we do not know where just following the google map from Lamar St. that told this building should be a right place, but we do not and turn till we found a barricade building renovation and turn back on the side that we’ve passed, and then, you needed a lift to get there lol.. [owalaa jadi ini sebenernya kayak mall gitu tapi tertutup gitu di lantai 3 gitu jadi bawahnya itu kyak tempat parkir gitu dan ternyata di dalemnya itu rame banget orang donk.. dan yakan jam makan siang]. 

I had Pho Noodle, tbh asian food will always be the best haha.. Oh My God, feeling like home the taste is so delicious and strong seasoning.

“[Surgaaaaaa setelah 4 hari yang beneran makanan barat yang hambar dan ini pho noodle yang duh enaaaakkkk bangettttt… makanan asia pokoke terbaeeekkk!! Lupa harganya berapa klo gasalah $8 udah sama minum dan pajaknya.. btw meskipun makan ditempat tapi packagingnya itu kyak takeaway, kita abis makan beresin sendiri dan buang sampahnya sendiri gituu.. iya di McD juga gini semua takeaway karena mereka ga punya pegawai yg bersiin meja.. coba di Indo gitu yaaa hehe]”

We were going back to the convention center, free time till 4 pm for Mentor meetup.. we’re attending technical presentation (looking at what the topic should we see, reservoir characterization would be great), the presentations were so cool, btw some SLS grantee also presenting their research [waahhh mereka keren sii, si Pari yang semeja ternyata presentasi juga]

After that, we were heading to SEG Book Mart to buy some books, bought Geophysics encyclopedy, 52 things you should know about rockphysics, and small signal theory book [sumpah seneng banget ngeliatin buku-buku lebih seneng lagi harganya murah… tapi dalam dolarrrrr kalo di rupiahin yaaa mahalllll]

3.45 PM, let’s go to Hilton Americas F for Mentor Meet Up, overall the mentors are from SEG Women’s Network with various roles in USGS, University professors, AGU, Geophysicists in the company. All students, from SLS, SEP, or even from the technical programs also joining here. We had a great talk and sharing among students and mentors. Here is the website AGU Mentoring program: https://mentoring365.chronus.com/about you can sign up and get mentoring for your early career. 

Went back to Hyatt, got Chicken Nugget [I love McD, hahahaha ini karena paling murahh disiniii wkwkkwk]

My roommate, Rimal asked to join on migling with SLS grantee at hotel’s pool.. I asked Tanisa, but she did not interest into it, Agra ate out with his friend, So I joined them, yaaa migling yaaa [dan mereka kayak kaget gitu karena aku full jilbaban gitu, aku kan ga niat renang, ya ngobrol2 aja, seru-seruan, ga minum-minum lah wkwkwk, kocak lagi aku diajak beli minuman ke warung gitu ngakak dah, ga usah dibayangkan yaaaa.. ada kolam, ada minuman dan ada music hahaha pengalaman udah cukup sekali itu aja yaa]

At around 9 PM, I and Fang went to the convenience store to look for some needs (water and snacks), I saw a lot Houston and Texas signs accessories can be bought as a gift.. then back to the hotel [aer 1 liter harganya 30rbu donk, agak sedih hayatii… tapi bener juga karena disini fasilitas tap water yang gratis itu banyak, beli snack buat sarapan besok pagi hihihi].. 

Then going back to the hotel, enjoying Houston night, the atmosphere a half-world away from my home country.

Thank God, it was a splendid day!