....besides the fact that I was delayed 3 hours! on Thursday due to weather somewhere in the United States, (a butterfly probably flapped its wings in Utah which led to flight cancellations in Chicago)....I arrived in Louisville airport today, only 30 minutes late (that's early on airline time). I decided to check my luggage today so I wouldn't have to deal with the 3 ounce rule on baggage rules. I began to regret that decision when I visited baggage claim to pick up my luggage and my luggage never appeared. The gate service agent said that weather was bad in Dallas (cloudless skies = bad weather in airline lingo) so my luggage didn't arrive in Louisville. Thankfully, I always carry one change of clothes and toiletries in my carryon, so I have some underclothes to wear for tomorrow. But my pajamas and sandals are in the bag. Thankfully I'm staying with my grandmother and she immeadiately took me to target to get a pair of pajama pants.
Now normally lost luggage would not be a big deal for me but when the baggage claim specialist asked me for a shipping address, I realized I had a serious problem. I kindly explained to the agent that I have a mailing address in Louisville until 11am on WEdnesday, then an address in rural Kentucky until Thursday, then Louisville until Sunday. If my luggage didn't show up by Sunday, they would have to send it to Germany. I seriously hope my luggage arrives sooner rather than later as I planned on using my smaller bag to carry books and heavy items. I can probably fit all my stuff into one suitcase, but I will have a to pay a lot in baggage fees. :-/
For now, I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for a phone call from American at 8am tomorrow morning. :-/
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Mount St. Helens
I started my transient phase a little over a week ago. After Bloomington, IN and a short sojourn to Louisville, KY...and many hours delayed on or near planes, I finally arrived in Seattle, where I'm visiting with my fiance. Andy's parents and sister were here for the first two days so we spent some time visiting Pike's Place Market and downtown Seattle. Then Andy and I took off to explore more of town. On Saturday, we just visited downtown Redmond and watched a movie. Then we took off early on Sunday morning to visit Mount St Helens.
The view was amazing! We hiked close to 9 miles that day, mostly over volcanic ash. I posted pictures to my picasa website.
The view was amazing! We hiked close to 9 miles that day, mostly over volcanic ash. I posted pictures to my picasa website.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Lufthansa Strike!
After my last post, I read a quite alarming article.
Lufthansa strike to hit Frankfurt and Hamburg
According to the article above, over 52,000 Lufthansa employees will strike this week, disrupting air travel in many airports around the world. Lufthansa has already cancelled over 100 flights for Tuesday with even more cancellations expected.
My flight for Germany is actually on United but my United flight would be serviced by Lufthansa in Frankfurt. For those of you not familiar with airline alliances, Lufthansa and United are both in the Star Alliance, which is one of the largest alliances in the world. (and my favorite) The airlines are so close, that sometimes they seem indistiguishable from one another.
My United flight doesn't leave for 12 more days so the union and airline have plenty of time to resolve their differences before my flight and the Frankfurt airport can return to being one of largest airports in the world. However, I'm not convinced this strike will end soon as the airport employees are demanding a 9.7% wage increase for all employees to counter inflation. Nearly 10% !!!!! Who gets that kind of money?
I guess I should prepare for strikes at airports. My daily phrase German course even devotes an entire lesson to preparing for train strikes. Since my flight is nearly 2 weeks out, I guess I just have to cross my fingers and hope for the best.
Lufthansa strike to hit Frankfurt and Hamburg
According to the article above, over 52,000 Lufthansa employees will strike this week, disrupting air travel in many airports around the world. Lufthansa has already cancelled over 100 flights for Tuesday with even more cancellations expected.
My flight for Germany is actually on United but my United flight would be serviced by Lufthansa in Frankfurt. For those of you not familiar with airline alliances, Lufthansa and United are both in the Star Alliance, which is one of the largest alliances in the world. (and my favorite) The airlines are so close, that sometimes they seem indistiguishable from one another.
My United flight doesn't leave for 12 more days so the union and airline have plenty of time to resolve their differences before my flight and the Frankfurt airport can return to being one of largest airports in the world. However, I'm not convinced this strike will end soon as the airport employees are demanding a 9.7% wage increase for all employees to counter inflation. Nearly 10% !!!!! Who gets that kind of money?
I guess I should prepare for strikes at airports. My daily phrase German course even devotes an entire lesson to preparing for train strikes. Since my flight is nearly 2 weeks out, I guess I just have to cross my fingers and hope for the best.
On the road
I said goodbye to Champaign on Sunday. Parting was much harder than I thought it would be. I didn't leave Champaign until after 7pm, nearly 4 hours later than I intended as I kept finding reasons to stay a bit longer. It was hard to leave the town that I chose to call home for 5 years. I will greatly miss my friends and roomate of 5 years.
But enough sadness. I arrived in Bloomington, IN for the 20th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education. http://bcce2008.indiana.edu/
In less than 24 hours I reconnected with my chemical education research advisor, professors from various universities that sabbaticalled with said research advisor, and even former graduate students/postdocs from UIUC. I'm very grateful for going to a school with such a robust alumni unit. I love coming to conferences because I love reconnecting with people and making new connections. Its been very therapuetic.
As I drove away from Champaign, I began to fear that I would not be able to make friends in my new home. However, this conference reminds me how its much more likely that I'll make so many friends that I won't be able to feel lonely again. Only time will tell.
But enough sadness. I arrived in Bloomington, IN for the 20th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education. http://bcce2008.indiana.edu/
In less than 24 hours I reconnected with my chemical education research advisor, professors from various universities that sabbaticalled with said research advisor, and even former graduate students/postdocs from UIUC. I'm very grateful for going to a school with such a robust alumni unit. I love coming to conferences because I love reconnecting with people and making new connections. Its been very therapuetic.As I drove away from Champaign, I began to fear that I would not be able to make friends in my new home. However, this conference reminds me how its much more likely that I'll make so many friends that I won't be able to feel lonely again. Only time will tell.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
1 more day left
Wow, only 1 more official day in lab and then I leave for a year. This week has been incredibly productive for those tiny things that you always need to get done before leaving town, but incredibly unproductive for actual work. I learned a valuable lesson this summer, write all papers and take care of work that needs actual thought at least three weeks before you leave. By the time the last three weeks arrive, you are too caught up with saying goodbye and tying up loose ends that you can not concentrate for more than 10 minutes at a time. On Wednesday I had to practically lock myself to my computer to write a 2 paragraph abstract for a conference. Now the abstract is 'nearly' done. I just have to make one picture and then submit it.
As one of my final acts before leaving, I had a very detailed meeting with my primary advisor today where we discussed a timeline for my graduation and the work I needed to do in Germany. I was completely surprised when he not only supported my accelerated timeline (graduating within 2 months of returning from Europe), he even considered the possibility that I could even schedule a 'virtual defense'. I would give my final defense in Germany while my thesis committee watched me on a computer screen. :-) As interesting as the idea sounded, I decided that it would probably be easier to visit Champaign for a few weeks and finish up all details. Earlier this year I though I needed a 6 month lease, hoping that I could graduate by December 2009. Now it looks like I may not even stay long enough to justify anything more than a hotel room for a couple of weeks!
I am extremely excited about graduating sooner than expected, but I am saddened by the finality that today's meeting portended. Now when I take the bus home for the night, I realize it may be the last time I take the bus 'home'. My next bus trip may only be to a hotel for the night, or more likely to a friends home to sleep on their couch. I wrote this post on the bus, and now it appears that my bus ride is over...another last moment, gone.
As one of my final acts before leaving, I had a very detailed meeting with my primary advisor today where we discussed a timeline for my graduation and the work I needed to do in Germany. I was completely surprised when he not only supported my accelerated timeline (graduating within 2 months of returning from Europe), he even considered the possibility that I could even schedule a 'virtual defense'. I would give my final defense in Germany while my thesis committee watched me on a computer screen. :-) As interesting as the idea sounded, I decided that it would probably be easier to visit Champaign for a few weeks and finish up all details. Earlier this year I though I needed a 6 month lease, hoping that I could graduate by December 2009. Now it looks like I may not even stay long enough to justify anything more than a hotel room for a couple of weeks!
I am extremely excited about graduating sooner than expected, but I am saddened by the finality that today's meeting portended. Now when I take the bus home for the night, I realize it may be the last time I take the bus 'home'. My next bus trip may only be to a hotel for the night, or more likely to a friends home to sleep on their couch. I wrote this post on the bus, and now it appears that my bus ride is over...another last moment, gone.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Details make the going tough
26 days until I leave for Germany.
It seems like I still have a while before I leave, but perhaps these numbers make more sense
3 days until I move out of my house
12 days until I leave champaign for a year
21 days until I bid farewell to Andy on US soil
Time flies quickly when you're busy. My desk at home and in lab is covered with post-it notes, detailing all the things I have to do before I leave town. The sheer number of post it notes is overwhelming and causes me to lose motivation. Add in the fact that I'm also trying to sell out my stock of Mary Kay before I leave (help me out by visiting www.marykay.com/chariteach) and give 30 free facials before July 22nd, it makes for one very busy person.
Preparing to go overseas for a year is very very stressful and exciting at the same time. So far, I think I'm managing but I think its because I'm procrastinating. I still haven't even started my presentation for a conference in two weeks and I still have to draft 3 papers before I leave town. I have a draft of one paper, the other two have outlines. I keep thinking that time will just appear out of nowhere or that I will somehow become ubermotivated before I leave. So far, motivation eludes me.
One of the hardest parts of leaving is that I don't know what is going to happen. If you know me, you know that I love to plan and plan for contingencies if the first plan fails. I have no idea what my expenses will look like next year, how I can find time to visit the grocery store when the lab is on the top of the hill, or how I'm going to learn Quantum Mechanics in a language I can barely understand! I try to remind myself that I will survive, even if I have to eat Mensa food for lunch every day (2 Euros for a 3 course meal) or if I fail Quantum Mechanics (my grade will not transfer back to the University anyways).
My research advisors obviously think I can handle a year abroad or they wouldn't have written the application letters. My fiance is convinced that next year will be absolutely amazing, despite the fact we will be seperated by an ocean for another year. Deep down, I believe them and I believe that the next year will be exciting as well. I could continue more on that thought, but the army of post-it notes is threatening to invade unless I start taking them out one by one. Hopefully next time I post, the army will be reduced by a battalion or two. :-)
It seems like I still have a while before I leave, but perhaps these numbers make more sense
3 days until I move out of my house
12 days until I leave champaign for a year
21 days until I bid farewell to Andy on US soil
Time flies quickly when you're busy. My desk at home and in lab is covered with post-it notes, detailing all the things I have to do before I leave town. The sheer number of post it notes is overwhelming and causes me to lose motivation. Add in the fact that I'm also trying to sell out my stock of Mary Kay before I leave (help me out by visiting www.marykay.com/chariteach) and give 30 free facials before July 22nd, it makes for one very busy person.
Preparing to go overseas for a year is very very stressful and exciting at the same time. So far, I think I'm managing but I think its because I'm procrastinating. I still haven't even started my presentation for a conference in two weeks and I still have to draft 3 papers before I leave town. I have a draft of one paper, the other two have outlines. I keep thinking that time will just appear out of nowhere or that I will somehow become ubermotivated before I leave. So far, motivation eludes me.
One of the hardest parts of leaving is that I don't know what is going to happen. If you know me, you know that I love to plan and plan for contingencies if the first plan fails. I have no idea what my expenses will look like next year, how I can find time to visit the grocery store when the lab is on the top of the hill, or how I'm going to learn Quantum Mechanics in a language I can barely understand! I try to remind myself that I will survive, even if I have to eat Mensa food for lunch every day (2 Euros for a 3 course meal) or if I fail Quantum Mechanics (my grade will not transfer back to the University anyways).
My research advisors obviously think I can handle a year abroad or they wouldn't have written the application letters. My fiance is convinced that next year will be absolutely amazing, despite the fact we will be seperated by an ocean for another year. Deep down, I believe them and I believe that the next year will be exciting as well. I could continue more on that thought, but the army of post-it notes is threatening to invade unless I start taking them out one by one. Hopefully next time I post, the army will be reduced by a battalion or two. :-)
Monday, June 23, 2008
Travels begin again
Oh my, I haven't posted in quite some time. I've haven't had the heart to post to my blog since I passed my prelim...but its not because I haven't traveled. In fact, I've traveled a great deal. From a spring conference in New Orleans to a grand American Road Trip along I-70 to a summer conference in Vegas. (BTW: a rather exciting event occurred on the road trip to Seattle. Check out my Picture website for details.) I've earned over 10000 frequent flier miles this alone, which brings me halfway towards my goal of elite status on a major airline. My next three flights will be on different carriers so it doesn't look like I reach that goal this year.
I should explain why I'm resurrecting my blog. After returning from my CESRI travels in Central Europe, I decided that I wasn't content to study in the corn fields of Champaign anymore so I spent two weeks preparing an application for the Fulbright program. If you aren't familiar with the Fulbright program, I will give you a short summary (and of course a link to the Wikipedia article).
The program was created in 1946 by an act of Congress. Named after US Senator J William Fulbright, the program seeks to forge ties between nations through intellectual and cultural exchange. Every year the US government send students and faculty overseas to study the culture of their host country while also acting as an intellectual ambassador for the United States of America. (Note: the program also brings foreign students and faculty to study and teach at American Universities). This year, nearly 7000 people worldwide were selected as Fulbright Scholars. In mid-April, I found out that I was one of those people!
I was awarded a 9 month student fellowship and 6 week language training to Germany. I will be returning to work with the Frenking Group at Phillips-Universitat in Marburg, Germany. I leave for Germany in less than 7 weeks. In the meantime, I'll try to keep you posted on all important travel items, including the mounds of paperwork to fill out.
I am deeply honored and incredibly excited to receive the Fulbright this year. I hope to learn a lot of German and a little bit of chemistry along the way. Auf Wiedersehen!
I should explain why I'm resurrecting my blog. After returning from my CESRI travels in Central Europe, I decided that I wasn't content to study in the corn fields of Champaign anymore so I spent two weeks preparing an application for the Fulbright program. If you aren't familiar with the Fulbright program, I will give you a short summary (and of course a link to the Wikipedia article).
The program was created in 1946 by an act of Congress. Named after US Senator J William Fulbright, the program seeks to forge ties between nations through intellectual and cultural exchange. Every year the US government send students and faculty overseas to study the culture of their host country while also acting as an intellectual ambassador for the United States of America. (Note: the program also brings foreign students and faculty to study and teach at American Universities). This year, nearly 7000 people worldwide were selected as Fulbright Scholars. In mid-April, I found out that I was one of those people!
I was awarded a 9 month student fellowship and 6 week language training to Germany. I will be returning to work with the Frenking Group at Phillips-Universitat in Marburg, Germany. I leave for Germany in less than 7 weeks. In the meantime, I'll try to keep you posted on all important travel items, including the mounds of paperwork to fill out.
I am deeply honored and incredibly excited to receive the Fulbright this year. I hope to learn a lot of German and a little bit of chemistry along the way. Auf Wiedersehen!
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