Thus far, the IAC has been far more exciting than I could have ever imagined.  I'm super tired but absolutely loving every minute of it so far and have no complaints.  I am just overwhelmed with the quality of the program and people in attendance.  Once I have some time to actually sit down and write about the whole week, I'm sure that I will have a lengthy entry sometime next week, but for now I just want to recap a little bit!

Lori Garver (NASA Deputy Administrator), me and Charlie Bolden (NASA Administrator)

I am so incredibly grateful for all the people in the field of space science that I have had the opportunity to simply talk to them and meet them.  All of these people with a wealth of experience have all been so kind and willing to answer questions I have.  My first day, I was waiting outside for some Parliamentarians to arrive from the program I helped co-organize and as I was standing outside, heads of agencies from JAXA, Roscosmos, and others, including multiple astronauts passed by.  I couldn't believe that in less than an hour, this many people, who I admire and look up to in my field, were just passing by to attend the same events as myself.  Yesterday I had coffee with Michael Griffin and exchanged business cards with Bolden himself.  

Two days ago I went to Table Mountain, which I highly recommend for anyone who comes to Cape Town.  It was beautiful.  It may be the only time that I leave the CTICC (Cape Town International Convention Centre) throughout the week, though I have no complaints.  

 
 I am so happy to simply be here and don't know what I'll do when I have to leave!