Final Word From NASA
Feb 13th, 2009 | By Admin | Category: Current Topics of Interest
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...Hello Everyone,
I know you have all been waiting to here about me and my quest to be an Astronaut. I’m sad to inform you all that it has ended. I just received the following e-mail from the selection office:
Hi everyone,
I have been receiving e-mails and phone calls from some of you about the status of the finalist interviews, and I know some of you may know this by now, but I wanted to contact everyone to make sure. The selection board has identified the 40 finalist interviewees and all have been contacted. An official letter will be sent to you when the selection process is complete. You can contact us at that time with any questions. It was great to meet you all and hope to see you again.
I can’t express how much I appreciate all your support during this time. I want you to know that my ambition to be an astronaut has only been fueled by this experience. The call for candidates will come out again, probably in 2012. And though I will be older, I hope to also be a little more wiser too. I have already licked my wounds and have started my game plan for 2012: 1) gain as much research experience as possible (being a community college teacher isn’t enough) 2) complete a certificate degree in Geospatial Technology (I have already begun working toward this) 3) continue flying and acquire my instrument rating; and 4) become an advanced SCUBA diver. With any luck this will be enough to propel me all the way to the moon! If not, please keep an eye out for my first novel (in the process of writing it now) and my game (hostile attack) which hopefully will be in the stores by Christmas! I can always buy my way into space…all I need is 30 mil and a ticket to Russia (chuckle!)
Take care and pursue your dream!!
With love,
Sian
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Oh phooey! I’m disappointed for you, but so inspired by you!!
You are the most amazing person I know! I, too, am so inspired by you.
ah, this must be so hard…I wish you all the luck for the tests of 2012!!
Beautifully written and as heart breaking as it is (the news), I >am inspired by your spirit and how to turn lemons to lemonade. I am proud to be your friend. We learned a lot from this process and God willing, next time we will be much more prepared. Still wanna kick some NASA butt though.
Sorry to hear the news Sian. . . but, this only makes you stronger and a better candidate next time. I wouldn’t count you out ever!!!!
Dr. Proctor: I enjoyed reading your stories, especially the one about your father! Though we’ve never personally met, I think you’re an amazing woman! Good luck in the future!
I’m so glad you made it this far — what a great experience! Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm along the way!
Sian, we are so sorry to her you didn’t get in; but also proud that you got as far as you did! Everyone in Ahwatukee was rooting for you. Good luck w/ all of oyur other adventures! The good news is you get to stay w/ us at SMCC. Best wishes for 2012. You go girl!! CC
Sian, I think its amazing what you have accomplished thus far and to read your game plan tells me that you’re a fighter for the things that are important to you. As your journey continues know that you always have a caring and supportive group of friends to get you through the good bad and ugly. We are all so proud of you.
Sian, While I am sorry they did not pick you as one of the finalists, I’m so proud of you for pursuing your dreams. You have accomplished so much!
What an amazing experience this whole thing has been. What you have accomplished thus far has, in and of itself, been admirable. A true testament and reflection of your character is that you are already reformulating your game plan!!! How does that song/phrase go—pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try, try again? They won’t know what hits them when you return in 2012. (And I can’t wait to hear about it!) By the way, I’ve never traveled to Russia, so if you need a travel partner, count me in. Onward!!
Sian, Everyone at the Guadalupe Center is very proud of you. You have accomplished so much and show be proud of all you have done. Continue reaching for the stars, you will get there one day.
We are so proud of you and everything that you have done. I know there will be so many great adventures for you in the future. All I can say is that NASA made a mistake not taking you…you would have been the best ever!
Debbie
I’m disappointed, as you must be, for I was really hoping you would realize that dream now. As you say, keep trying. We have all gained by the possibilities that you have shown everyone around you by your effort.
Words fail me in sending you my good wishes for you.
Jill
Sian Proctor is even more my hero now than she ever was. This just means we get to keep her with us just a little bit longer (selfish, I know). Watch out 2012 cuz there is going to be some major butt kicking going on!!!!
Sian, no worries. We’ve seen you grow stronger through this process and we’ll support you as you build up more momentum for the next round. With your passion and ambition, you will certainly live to realize this amazing dream!!! 2012 is only a short time away.
This is not a stumbling block but a stepping stone. Everything in life worth having is worth working for and it looks like you’re up for the task. Congratulations on your progress so far and best wishes for 2012.
Cheryle
Colorado 99
Sian,
I know it’s a sad loss and also that with your attitude you’ll still do great things. And as you said, there will be another chance. Looks like life will be busy for you and I look forward to seeing you in class.
Stay proud that you went for it. That’s an achievement in itself.
–Connie
To use a kinda hackneyed metaphor, its like you made it to the super bowl but the other team kicked a field in the 4th quarter with a couple seconds left to win. Well, even though you didn’t win the ‘big game’, you still made it there. How many people ever get to even compete in the super bowl? It’s a poor metaphor because your experience far overshadows a game with a ball. You are an incredible anomaly. It seems to me that most importantly you learned throughout the whole experience and are going to use that knowledge to become a more competitive candidate next time. If you ask me, that’s smarts. Congrats on doing what you did Sian, and thanks for giving me stories to tell my friends.
Sian,
Congratulations on making as far as you did. That is very exciting to even get that far.
Keep trying.
I have an Instrument rating, but haven’t flown in a few years so I’m not current. If you want to chat about the instrument rating I can share what I remember. I haven’t used it in a while though. But, I remember it was tough.
Frank
Dear Sian,
This is such sad news. I was so hoping that you would make it. Nevertheless, I am so proud to be your friend. You are an amzing person and I am always rooting for you. Watch out 2012! Sian is coming!
Pushpa
Hey, Si!
Life ends with one moment. We have to remember that it’s the individuals pursuits in life that we tell others about. We take this marvelous journey and learn so many tidbits about ourselves and the world around us. It is the creek of the floor that we remember, not the glide of the stride. A straight shot from here to there is a summery of life but a journey that stops at many locations and experiences the energy….wow…now that is living multiple dreams that you’ve never dreamt.
So, there your have my wondering thought for you and us.
This is so inspiring because we hope for our dreams and continue to strive to reach the stars. Can’t wait to see the continued surprises you bring to our lives.
Well…you’re doing the right thing, following your dream and as long as you believe this is for the good of humanity and God is your partner, good things will come of this endeavor, believe me! I too am following a dream with God as my partner and I don’t intend to give up! Never say die! Just do it! Carry on my sister!
“Destiny is not a matter of chance..it’s a matter of choice!”
Hang in there baby remember Michael Jordan was cut from his junior high basketball team!
Chris
Sian,
It’s not how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get back up. Three years will go by quick.
Michael
Sian,
I’m sorry to hear that NASA didn’t select you for a second interview. I wish you all the best for the future.
-Brian
Sian,
You are a role model to us all. Your attitude, dedication and commitment is outstanding. I’m so proud of you! I’ll be patiently waiting and watching the next 3 years. And living your dream vicariously. Thank you for sharing with us.
You Rock!
W
Sian,
We have never met, but I share your enthusiasm for the wonders a space!
I am so sorry you did not make it “THIS” time. Never give up, although I can tell you have no intention of doing so! I have a good friend, Sherry Walker, a 99, who’s daughter is now an astronaut. I am now also proud to call Shannon my friend and inspiration! Shannon Walker interviewed FOUR times before being selected as an astronaut! She will have her first space mission next year on the Russian Soyuz, and will stay on the Space Station for 6 months. I have lived vicariouly through her astronaut training via her diary logs which her mother has worked so hard to type up for the San Antonio 99s website. Shannon married another wonderful astronaut, Andy Thomas, great guy! What a love story! Andy actually sent me an email from the Space Shuttle Discovery just prior to docking with the Space Station a few years ago! I will treasure it always!
Here are the links to Shannon’s website.
(Initial training) http://www.sanantonio99s.org/shannon/training1.html
(Russian training) http://www.sanantonio99s.org/shannon/training2.html
Best of luck to you!!
Forever Skyward,
Cheryl
So sorry about the news. You seem to have so many supporters. As one of your previous students at SMCC, I too offer you much support and will be watching as you progress to fulfill your biggest dream!
Sian, the fact that you made it as far as you did speaks volumes about your abilities and ambition. 2012 isn’t that long a time . . . and you’ll have the benefit of experience.
All the best, Karen B. at MCC
Sian,
Where do you find the time?
I’m honored you picked our 99s Chapter meeting on Wednesday to add to what must be killer busy days.
You’re our current resident hero and proud to add you to our already impressive group of women pilots.
$30 million to go, no problem with your ambition.
Thanks for taking us on this ride with you.
Marina S
Phoenix Chapter Ninety-Nines
What an adventure!!! Bummer it didn’t happen this time, but we’re glad you aren’t giving up hope. Looks like you have a game plan in place! If there’s ever anything we can do to help you know where to find us! Love, Beck and Steve
Hey Cuz
I’m very proud of you just the same and It’s NASA lost not your. Remember to stand on a pile of NO’s, and one day there will be a YES! Good luck in 2012
“I firmly believe that any person’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that they hold dear, is that moment when they have worked their heart out in a good cause and lie exhausted on the field of battle – Victorious!” — Vince Lombardi
I BELIEVE YOU WILL BE VICTORIOUS! You are such an inspiration to us all! Glad to hear you are already “back in the saddle!”
You go for it! My greatest ambition when I was a teenager was to be an astronaut! Unfortunately, back then (late 50’s, early 60s), women were not even supposed to be engineers (according to my father and culture), and there were no opportunities for that. Maybe in my next life I’ll be able to fulfill that dream!
I am very happy that you will not give up!
Georgianne G
SMCC CTS
You are such an amazing woman! I know that you will continue moving forward toward your dream and will succeed! Best wishes. Mary Marsh-Beil
We haven’t even met but I’ve followed your blog by way of another blog…etc, etc…and I was really pulling for you! Even though I wasn’t one of the ones they called for an initial interview, I was really pulling for you more than anyone! Rather than being a little envious, I was rooting for you all the way. Keep loving life and I’ll keep up with your blog
I second TM (number 38) 100% in all respects, including the not being called for the interview and not being jealous. Good luck next time!
Sian…
I just read your post and am disappointed for you now but know the challenge ahead will make you a stronger person and a stronger candidate. Consider this application process as a way to see just who the competition is. Look out! They won’t know what hit them when you show up next time.
You go girl!
Donagee