Last December I made a commitment to write one blog post a month about chemistry for the year of 2017. It was a way facilitate life long learning while also diving deeper into a subject I just never got around to. Looking back on those posts now shares not only my exploration of chemistry, but the journey of 2017 in general.

My start of 2017 was pretty stable. In my last months in Bellingham, WA I had time and energy to ponder the big questions. While I didn't quite know what my next step was going to be, I explored topics like metallic hydrogen and using chemistry to make the best popcorn! All the while enjoying the unique chemistry of Pure Bliss desserts.

Chemistry, along with subjects like physics and biology, is often referred to as a 'hard' science while subjects like psychology and geography are 'soft' sciences. This distinction, only referring to the objectivity of results, often leads to the stereotype that the hard sciences are the only 'real' or 'tough' sciences, while all of the others have far less substance. While I disagree with those stereotypes, I have never associated chemistry with gender identity. Psychology? Absolutely. How about geography? Is someone more willing to transition publicly in some countries rather than others? For sure. But chemistry? No.

That was until I listened to the Testosterone episode of This American Life. Each act revolves around the hormone; lack of it, overabundance of it, etc. Act two is what caught my attention particularly.

When I started this year of learning chemistry, I knew today was going to be a big day. I had no idea where I would be, or what I would be doing, but I knew today was cause for a celebration. Today, October 23rd, is Mole Day!

If you are not a big chemistry person, you might not know that this is the official day of chemistry. Why October 23rd? To explain, we will have to get into a bit of math.

I love my drinks cold. Wicked cold. It doesn't matter if it is water, milk, or cider; it is perfect when frost is starting to form on the top. I'll even expedite this process by placing the beverage in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. Sometimes though I'll forget it is in there for a day or two, and when I return the drink is transformed.

While the bottom of the mixture still is liquid, the top is frozen solid! A few minutes out on the counter remedies this but just what is going on? What I stumbled upon is actually the first step in a process called Fractional Freezing.

In the summer of 2015 the Goodell-Creek Fire ran up the valley far faster than expected. We at the North Cascades Institute's Environmental Learning Center had been on a level 1 alert for a few hours when the power went out. Within minutes we got the word that we were now on level 2, which meant that we should go back to Diablo where all of our belongings were and pack up. Level 2 usually lasted for a few hours so we knew we had to move but not rush.

Upon taking the 7 minute drive down to Diablo, Seattle City Light made the situation up to level 3 which basically means LEAVE NOW. So when we reached our houses in Diablo the SCL staff gave us all only 10 minutes to grab what we could and start evacuating out east. In the rush to grab clothes and supplies for who knew how long, I stopped for a solid 30 seconds to say good bye to my computer.

As a professional environmental educator, I have spent countless hours researching for papers, projects, and lessons. But I think a large part of being human is pursuing knowledge for the sake of it. It doesn't need to be a formal "end goal:" should we not research to discover how amazing things are?

Below is just a small example of how browsing the web to unwind after a long day can become a great adventure. I welcome you to learn how I discovered the Bombardier Beetle.

On my many walks along the beach of Thompson Island in the Boston Harbor, I feel both separate and connected to the population on the mainland. Our boat only travels to the island a few times a day and since I can't walk across water, going into the city is not part of a daily ritual. On the other hand, we share the same water. In just a short time the water from the mainland will travel past me on the island and out to sea. Along with that water will be an unwanted gift: trash.

I could easily pick up a full garbage ball full of trash every time I walk on the beach. While it is depressing to see and live in trash every day, I read an article many years ago that gave me hope about life on this planet: Life in the "Plastisphere."