This past weekend I took a long weekend to visit friends in Colorado. I had a great time hiking in the mountains, playing cribbage with my friends, drinking good beer, and cuddling with their pets. It was a great little vacation!
Showing posts with label US. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US. Show all posts
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Monday, March 31, 2014
Some highlights from December and January in MN.
I really am trying to catch up on my blogging, and I'm so close!
After moving back to the US from Switzerland, I had about a month at home in Minneapolis before I moved to Ann Arbor to start my new postdoc. It sounded like a long time at first, but it totally flew by.
One of the highlights was going to (possibly) the last Hollidazzle parade ever. There's something that's just so Minnesotan about going to an outdoor parade in the dead of winter, and I loved seeing some of the same floats that I've been seeing since I was a child.
In preparation for Christmas, there was a lot of cookie baking that happened as well.
We spent Christmas in Minnesota, but then traveled down to Nebraska for the weekend after to spend time with my grandparents. We had a really nice time together, doing the daily jumble, going for walks in the much warmer Nebraska weather, visiting family nearby, and playing board games. It was really a sweet time together that I'm really glad we had.
Besides a trip to Mexico (which will get its own post), a lot of the rest of my time in Minnesota was spent packing and organizing for my move to Ann Arbor. And, of course, enjoying the time with my family and puppy!
After moving back to the US from Switzerland, I had about a month at home in Minneapolis before I moved to Ann Arbor to start my new postdoc. It sounded like a long time at first, but it totally flew by.
One of the highlights was going to (possibly) the last Hollidazzle parade ever. There's something that's just so Minnesotan about going to an outdoor parade in the dead of winter, and I loved seeing some of the same floats that I've been seeing since I was a child.
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| These light bulbs were always my favorite! |
In preparation for Christmas, there was a lot of cookie baking that happened as well.
We spent Christmas in Minnesota, but then traveled down to Nebraska for the weekend after to spend time with my grandparents. We had a really nice time together, doing the daily jumble, going for walks in the much warmer Nebraska weather, visiting family nearby, and playing board games. It was really a sweet time together that I'm really glad we had.
Besides a trip to Mexico (which will get its own post), a lot of the rest of my time in Minnesota was spent packing and organizing for my move to Ann Arbor. And, of course, enjoying the time with my family and puppy!
Sunday, March 16, 2014
My life has been a whirlwind.
Things have been wild and woolly since I moved to Ann Arbor.
First, it has been the snowiest winter on record here, meaning lots of shoveling and wearing of long underwear and slipping and falling on my bum.
Second, when it rains, it pours. Some of my dear friends came to visit me at President's Day weekend. We rented a condo, toured the Ford Rouge plant, and toured around Ann Arbor, which was really enjoyable.
While they were here, I found out that my grandfather had passed away, meaning that I headed out of town two days after my friends left. While I was in Nebraska at the funeral, I found out that I was selected for an on-campus interview for a position I had applied for last year, so I started preparing my two talks for that interview and online shopping for interview outfits. I returned to Ann Arbor after the funeral, and, two days later, gave my first guest lecture (on Acid Rain) in my advisor's undergraduate Environmental Geology course. A week later, I headed out of town for my three-day marathon of an interview, which I was 4 hours late for because they lost our pilot in the airport and had to scramble for a replacement who showed up in his khaki pants and shirtsleeves, making me very nervous that he wasn't actually a pilot. Thankfully, I finally made it to my interview and survived the three days of meeting after meeting, and I had a lovely weekend with my family after the interview. I returned to Ann Arbor late last Sunday, and then, this week, prepared and gave my second guest lecture on the Great Lakes for the same Environmental Geology course. Good thing I don't also have a job that I'm trying to do or anything...
That has been my last month. I'm so thankful that things seem to be slowing down a little so that I can actually settle in here. Plus, spring is on the way, the snow is melting, and the birds are singing! It has been so lovely to be closer to family. I've gotten to see them at least once a month, which is FABULOUS! Although I totally miss Switzerland, there are definitely pluses to being back in the US!
First, it has been the snowiest winter on record here, meaning lots of shoveling and wearing of long underwear and slipping and falling on my bum.
Second, when it rains, it pours. Some of my dear friends came to visit me at President's Day weekend. We rented a condo, toured the Ford Rouge plant, and toured around Ann Arbor, which was really enjoyable.
While they were here, I found out that my grandfather had passed away, meaning that I headed out of town two days after my friends left. While I was in Nebraska at the funeral, I found out that I was selected for an on-campus interview for a position I had applied for last year, so I started preparing my two talks for that interview and online shopping for interview outfits. I returned to Ann Arbor after the funeral, and, two days later, gave my first guest lecture (on Acid Rain) in my advisor's undergraduate Environmental Geology course. A week later, I headed out of town for my three-day marathon of an interview, which I was 4 hours late for because they lost our pilot in the airport and had to scramble for a replacement who showed up in his khaki pants and shirtsleeves, making me very nervous that he wasn't actually a pilot. Thankfully, I finally made it to my interview and survived the three days of meeting after meeting, and I had a lovely weekend with my family after the interview. I returned to Ann Arbor late last Sunday, and then, this week, prepared and gave my second guest lecture on the Great Lakes for the same Environmental Geology course. Good thing I don't also have a job that I'm trying to do or anything...
That has been my last month. I'm so thankful that things seem to be slowing down a little so that I can actually settle in here. Plus, spring is on the way, the snow is melting, and the birds are singing! It has been so lovely to be closer to family. I've gotten to see them at least once a month, which is FABULOUS! Although I totally miss Switzerland, there are definitely pluses to being back in the US!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
An Ann Arbor update.
I have been living in Ann Arbor for about 10 days, and I am finally feeling some semblance of a rhythm and a degree of settled-ness. These past weeks have really been a whirlwind, really ever since I left Switzerland. I had a wonderful time with my family around Christmas, a fabulous time in Mexico on the beach, and then it was move time.
I am so thankful that my whole family was able to come help me move- not only for all of their help (I couldn't have done it without them!), but also because it was nice to have some extra time together. They helped me get settled in my new place, helped me with my IKEA furniture, held my hand through my first real mega supermarket grocery shopping experience (I went into some sort of shock because of the size of the place and couldn't make decisions at all), and helped me find a car. It was sad to see them go, but it is nice to know that they are only a few hours away by plane!
After they left, I bought my first car ever: Chester the Subaru. I have been very thankful for Chester's all-wheel drive feature, since it snowed every day for the first week that I was here. Now it has stopped snowing because it is so viciously cold- so cold that they canceled University classes because of the dangerous windchills. Since I have a 40-minute walk one-way in to campus, I definitely worked from home that day!
I'm still working on getting settled at my new job, figuring out what projects I'll be working on and pulling my brain out of vacation mode. The first time I sat down to read scientific papers again after my month-long break was a total disaster, but I'm coming back, slowly but surely.
Ann Arbor seems like a nice town, but I haven't done much exploring because of the weather. It feels weird not to have travel plans after all of the traveling I did last fall, but I think I'm going to try to get my bearings before planning any trips. Thankfully, some friends of mine are coming to visit in February, so I already have something to look forward to!
I do miss Switzerland. When I was on vacation and at my parents' house it wasn't so bad, I think because where I was was temporary and not real life. Now that I'm settled someplace new and starting a new "real life", I think that I will miss Switzerland and my friends and life there more, at least for a while.
Even though I miss Switzerland, I do feel like Ann Arbor will be a nice place to live. I appreciate that I can walk to work and don't have to drive, and I'm sure I'll appreciate this even more once the weather is a little nicer! My roommate is very nice and has already been introducing me to our neighbors and her friends, I think that my job will be challenging and enjoyable, and I have a whole new area to explore.
It's always exciting to build a new life somewhere, and I'm definitely looking forward to how it will turn out!
I am so thankful that my whole family was able to come help me move- not only for all of their help (I couldn't have done it without them!), but also because it was nice to have some extra time together. They helped me get settled in my new place, helped me with my IKEA furniture, held my hand through my first real mega supermarket grocery shopping experience (I went into some sort of shock because of the size of the place and couldn't make decisions at all), and helped me find a car. It was sad to see them go, but it is nice to know that they are only a few hours away by plane!
After they left, I bought my first car ever: Chester the Subaru. I have been very thankful for Chester's all-wheel drive feature, since it snowed every day for the first week that I was here. Now it has stopped snowing because it is so viciously cold- so cold that they canceled University classes because of the dangerous windchills. Since I have a 40-minute walk one-way in to campus, I definitely worked from home that day!
I'm still working on getting settled at my new job, figuring out what projects I'll be working on and pulling my brain out of vacation mode. The first time I sat down to read scientific papers again after my month-long break was a total disaster, but I'm coming back, slowly but surely.
Ann Arbor seems like a nice town, but I haven't done much exploring because of the weather. It feels weird not to have travel plans after all of the traveling I did last fall, but I think I'm going to try to get my bearings before planning any trips. Thankfully, some friends of mine are coming to visit in February, so I already have something to look forward to!
I do miss Switzerland. When I was on vacation and at my parents' house it wasn't so bad, I think because where I was was temporary and not real life. Now that I'm settled someplace new and starting a new "real life", I think that I will miss Switzerland and my friends and life there more, at least for a while.
Even though I miss Switzerland, I do feel like Ann Arbor will be a nice place to live. I appreciate that I can walk to work and don't have to drive, and I'm sure I'll appreciate this even more once the weather is a little nicer! My roommate is very nice and has already been introducing me to our neighbors and her friends, I think that my job will be challenging and enjoyable, and I have a whole new area to explore.
It's always exciting to build a new life somewhere, and I'm definitely looking forward to how it will turn out!
Friday, January 17, 2014
Sunday, July 21, 2013
My cousin's wedding.
Tonight we went to my cousin Becca's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, and fun to see family that I don't have the chance to see very often. The reception was at the science museum, so we got to explore some of the exhibits (the wave machine is my favorite!) After dinner, we were treated to a beautiful sunset on the balcony overlooking the river. It was a super nice day, and I am so happy for Becca and Sam!
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Hanging out in the garden.
Today, after a week of insane heat, the weather finally cooled off and was a beautiful 80 F and sunny. I had some time to sit in my parents' back yard with friends, enjoying the sun and the garden. One day, I will have a garden again, but until then, I really enjoy other people's gardens!
Friday, July 19, 2013
Sister date!
Ruth and Marie and I got together for a sister date yesterday. It is nice to be able to spend time together!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
You don't need sunglasses at night.
(At least in Minnesota.)
Ruth and I beat the heat (93 F and 65% humidity) by staying indoors and doing some shopping. We both got a new pair of sunglasses on sale. As we were walking to the car, I asked her if she was going to wear her new sunglasses on the way home. She just looked at me strangely and said, "I don't need to wear sunglasses because it's night. It gets dark here at night!"
Apparently I'm a little slow adjusting back to this whole night thing...
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Cherries and sunshine.
Today we picked cherries from the sour cherry tree at my parents' house. And by "we", I mean mom and dad picked, and I pitted and prepped for freezing until there is time to deal with them. (We don't have time to do anything with them this week, since my visit is short and my cousin's wedding is this weekend!) We processed enough for 10+ pies or batches of jam (~5 gallon buckets of fruit), and there's still more to do tomorrow!
I think I can see sour cherry pies and sunshine in the forecast for this week!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
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