Okay, back to my major. I'm extremely interested in civil engineering. Civil engineering is man's way of engineering the natural world for human use. Whether it be engineering the water, engineering the earth, or minimizing weather impacts, civil engineers do it. I am most interested in how vibrations affect structures, which is surprisingly complex and involves differential equations, knowledge of materials' behaviors, and structural analysis. I hope to someday engineer bridges to be earthquake-resistant using the knowledge I have gained through school. Currently, I am lined up to start working with an engineering company I've interned with for the past two summers after graduation where I will obtain a master's degree while working, and I may return to school to obtain a Ph.D. if I decide that I am more interested in research than applied engineering.
Another hobby of mine is playing with my puppy, a 7-month-old labrador retriever named Niko. Niko is especially energetic and is known for doing anything he can to get your attention - including picking up shoes and staring at you as if he is threatening to shred them. Over the past summer, I would play with Niko for about 2 hours every night, and then he would still try to coerce me into playing more tug-of-war by holding a shoe and staring at me or any other means he found necessary (and he was always successful).
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| Niko as a puppy in early spring in Iowa. Shortly after this picture was taken, Niko attempted to eat the phone taking the picture. (Image taken by me) |
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| Niko chilling in the living room at 6 months old. (Image taken by me) |
Another hobby of mine is playing soccer. Since high school, I have continued to play in summer leagues, intramurals, and tournaments in Norman and Iowa. I play anywhere on defense as I am used to a more physical playstyle (accredited to wrestling for many years of my life).
I also love to adventure. Whether it is hiking, kayaking, or rock climbing, I enjoy it. I've gone whitewater kayaking many times and have successfully done up to Class III rapids. While I enjoy whitewater kayaking, I also enjoy a relaxing float down rivers or across lakes, especially on calm days with glassy water. My personal favorite place I have ever kayaked is Split Rock Creek State Park in southeastern South Dakota. Split Rock Creek is a creek that gently winds its way through agriculture lands in Minnesota and South Dakota before being channeled through tall cliffs of billion-year-old quartzite in southeastern South Dakota. While being funneled through these cliffs, the creek becomes very swift and contains many rapids.
Hey Marshall! I'm also a Civil Engineer and love to see how passionate you are in the subject. I think building earthquake resistance bridges is such an interesting goal and would be an awesome use of the degree. Niko is absolutely adorable too. I love how he seems like such a trouble maker. It's also really cool how into adventure and soccer you are.
ReplyDeleteOh, my husband would be so interested in your work on vibrations, Marshall! He is a meteorologist (retired now from OU), and wind was his thing, including how wind affects buildings, planes, etc. And as someone who used to live in the Bay area, I can definitely appreciate the hard work of engineers to try to construct earthquake-resistant buildings. You might be interested to know that there is a god of engineers in India, Vishvakarma, the All-Maker, and his Puja, or special holiday, is coming up in September.
ReplyDeleteAnd your Niko looks adorable. If he likes to play tug-of-war, maybe you can tell him about the cosmic tug-of-war that is at the heart of one of the great creation stories of India; it's not exactly a tug-of-war, but an endless back-and-forth between the gods and asuras as they churn treasures out of the great ocean of milk: Samudra manthan. Of course he won't understand the story exactly, but lots of dogs like to be talked to whether they actually understand or not... it is one of the very charming things about dogs: it's not about the content but the connecting! I know you are going to have fun with him as he keeps growing and learning. And chilling. And eating things he probably should not. Thanks for sharing the adorable pictures!
It is very nice to meet you Marshall it is so cool to get to know you and your major well Civil engineer is so broad you get to know and work on so many aspects of nature. I must say that your pup- Niko is absolutely gorgeous I just want to pet him all day and go off to sleep. Also let me know if you ever want to meet up because I am a die hard soccer fan I personally love Manchester United as they are neighboring to my hometown Birmingham, UK and being Brough up British I am sure everyone from UK loves the sport whole heartedly.
ReplyDeleteHi Marshall! I definitely connected with several aspects of your post, which is really fun. First off, go you for being so committed to football. I'm an engineer as well (chemical), and I love using it to better understand the world, and using it to work for us in cool new ways. Our two majors take different approaches to it, but I see the similarities at their cores, and it's something I really enjoy as well. I love how adventurous you sound! Fun fact, I actually road tripped to South Dakota over Labor Day weekend because I had never been. I didn't get a chance to go to Split Rock Creek State Park, but I guess I'll have to go back because it sounds beautiful. I saw the Black Hills, Mt Rushmore, and the Badlands when I was there.
ReplyDeleteHi Marshall! It sounds like you are an ambitious, active person with a clear map of what you want both academically and professionally. Though this class is so outside the realm of your major, I think writing creatively will help you to think in new, innovative ways which would translate into whatever work you end up doing in the future. Also, what a sweet puppy you have! As it sounds like you're an athletic person given your affinity for college football, soccer, kayaking, and the like- I bet wrestling with your dog Neko is just another sport such as these!
ReplyDeleteHi Marshall! I'm also not from Oklahoma, though I'm sure the adjustment from Kansas City to Norman for me was less abrupt than your transition was for you, coming from rural Iowa to a (relatively) metropolitan area. Also, I love to do things outdoors, too! One of my favorite memories from college is going on a backpacking trip a few years ago where I met a lot of my best friends.
ReplyDeleteHi Marshall! Iowa is a ways away, what made you choose Oklahoma? Also, isn't there a vibrations class here at OU? I've heard it's really complicated but an excellent experience for actual work, especially since your career goals will heavily involve the topic. Speaking of which, the earthquake resistant bridges are super interesting and would be a great improvement in areas where earthquakes are common! And of course I have to say that your puppy is adorable!
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ReplyDeleteHi, Marshall! Oh my goodness! Your dog is absolutely the cutest thing ever!! How did you choose his name?? That is so neat that you are so passionate about your major! I really admire the fact that you hope to engineer bridges that are resistant to earthquakes. I’m actually really scared to drive over bridges so I am very thankful for people like you!
ReplyDeleteHi Marshall! I really love your description of civil engineering. I didn’t really know what civil engineering entailed before reading this, but your description highlights its relevance very nicely. My sister live is San Francisco, California, and with all the earthquakes they have had in the past few years, it sounds like your interests in earthquake-resistant bridges would be incredibly useful for California. Congrats on already having a job lined up for after graduation! Niko’s coat is absolutely BEAUTIFL. He’s quite a handsome little pup, although I’m sure he’s huge now! Whitewater kayaking sounds so exciting. Have you ever been whitewater rafting at Riversport in OKC? I’ve heard a lot about it but I don’t know anyone who has actually been.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I want to say is your dog are so cute!! That was the first thing I saw when I opened your introduction! I like the way that you described your major. I never would have thought to describe it as such. Why did you decide to name it Niko? You seem to be an active person! What would you say is your favorite hobby?
Hi Marshall! Thank you for uploading pictures of your puppy; it honestly made my day so much better! I'm glad you are so passionate about your major! What made you want to become a civil engineer? Were you ever interested in other engineering options or has civil engineering always been the one for you since the start? Congrats on being a senior! You are so close to being done.
ReplyDeleteHi Marshall! First off, Niko is too freaking precious! I grew up with a black lab named Sylvia, she was wonderful. Split Rock Creek sounds incredibly beautiful! How did you get into kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, and the like? Are there good places in Iowa for those activities? Civil engineering sounds incredibly interesting and horribly complicated. Is your post graduation gig in Oklahoma? Where are you planning on going for graduate school?
ReplyDeleteHi Marshall! Nice to meet you! I'm a senior too, trying to get a job lined up for after I graduate. Your puppy Niko is absolutely precious. He sounds like a trouble-maker but with that face, it would be impossible for me to stay mad at him. I'm glad you enjoy OU football, I've been an OU fan since I was little! So it's sort of a dream come true to get to cheer them on in person during football season as a student and soon an alumni. Great work!
ReplyDeleteHi Marshall! Your major sounds very interesting. The way you talk about it is great! You seem very passionate about it! Niko is absolutely adorable. What a nice hobby to have! My boss just got a puppy (that I gladly babysit during shifts) and she also will do anything for attention. He sounds like so much fun though! I hope the rest of your semester goes well!
ReplyDeleteHey Marshall,
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you! I'm also a senior and set to graduate next spring. Going into college, I was a mechanical engineering major, however after an internship, I realized I no longer wanted to pursue a career in that field. I highly respect those who can stick through the engineering major. It is a very rewarding career and from what I can tell via this introduction, I think you will be a hard-working civil engineer!
Hi Marshall,
ReplyDeleteFirst thing is that puppy is so cute! I have a six month old dog at the moment who has endless energy and still tries to eat my shoes, so I feel your pain haha. Civil engineering sounds like a great career choice. I find it particularly great that you want to focus on earthquake resistant bridges because I am from southern California. It is literally one of my worst fears to be stuck in some typical mid-day traffic on an overpass and a huge earthquake hits. So I am grateful to people like you!
Hi Marshall!
ReplyDeleteI guess this is the first time I’ve seen your intro page? It sounds like you have a pretty intense major! I had no idea there was so much into how the vibrations affected things. However, I do like that there is a lot of math involved. 😊 Niko is adorable! And also looks very ornery in the pictures you have posted. Although I don’t play soccer, I’m an avid soccer fan. My husband and I pick cities to travel to around the world based on if they have a soccer team or not. We went to Vancouver last year to watch the Whitecaps play and it was AMAZING! Their stadium is fantastic. Good luck with the end of your semester and good luck on finals!