So, as many of you know, I turned my thesis in today. Now, I'd like to say that it's all downhill from here, but I'm pretty sure that's not true. I have too many syllabi and too many 10-12 page papers to write. Still, I do feel a little lost without the thesis thing looming over my head...
It's raining... AGAIN... the only happy thing is that I have upped the ante with my bike riding - I rode home today not only in the dark, but in the rain! yup. and i didn't much care for it. I was also thinking I should obey the law and wear a helmet.
Today also finished up my first week of classes of my last term of grad school. Kind of crazy. I have definitely signed up for too many classes, and the only one I want to drop is the only one I'm required to take. story of my life. But I am taking this really interesting one on "the built environment" - aka urban sprawl, land use, transportation etc. and I'm pretty excited about it.
But, since it's after midnight, i'm gonna hit the sack. Just wanted to ramble before bedtime.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
night rider
I'm proud to say I took my first night bike ride this evening. I finally afixed the lights I got for christmas onto my bike, and headed out to see a movie at Harbor East. I must say that in my head I've always been a little intimidated of riding at night. I'm still not completely over my fear of riding in the city, although I'm much better than I was when I first started. anyway, it wasn't that big of a deal, actually. although it was a short ride. but why on earth would you want to spend 25 mins walking somewhere when you can bike in 10? in my world of every second counts, that's how I finally decided to take the plunge and bike at night.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
best first date ever??
It's true. Today I think I had my best first date ever. The guy I've been working with, Ricardo, took me to the pyramids at Teotihuacan for the day. And he's pretty much blown the other first days, and most of the dates i've been on in my entire life, out of the water. Am I just not used to being treated well?
He picked me up at the hotel. He drove 1.5 hours to the pyramids. He insisted on paying for all tolls, tickets, parking, not to mention the gas he put in his car. THEN he suggested we get a personal tour guide, but absolutely refused to let me pay my share. And we went out to dinner - and it was not cheap - and even when I stole the check and told him I would pay because Hopkins would reimburse me, he insisted on paying. He finally broke down (not happily) and let me pay the toll on the way back (about $3).
The entire day he was such a gentleman, holding doors for me, making sure I was comfortable, running back to the car to get my sweatshirt, pretty much anticipating my every possible need. He was interested in me, in my life, in my family and was fun to talk to.
ok - so what's the kicker? It wasn't a date. And he did all this for me and we barely know each other. We may never see each other again. And yet I can hardly think of a date or two in my life that I have been treated with such overwhelming generosity and kindness. And it's not even about the money. I would have felt better being able to pay my share. Because of course the trip was about me in the first place. I'm la turista. But to know someone is thinking of me before thinking of themselves...
Maybe my standards have been too low.
And then I also have the example of Gui and his wife Zuraya (I was spelling it wrong before!). Not like I know them that well, but I've seen them interact quite a bit this week and they have what I want. They're happy with one another. Happy with each other's company. Interested in what each other has to say. Enjoy conversation and spending time together. Like to joke around. It's kind of an unrushed, comfortable relationship. But they clearly love each other, you can just tell the way they act towards one another. Why does that seem so hard to find? Maybe because most of us have unrealistic expectations about what a successful loving long-term relationship is supposed to be.
He picked me up at the hotel. He drove 1.5 hours to the pyramids. He insisted on paying for all tolls, tickets, parking, not to mention the gas he put in his car. THEN he suggested we get a personal tour guide, but absolutely refused to let me pay my share. And we went out to dinner - and it was not cheap - and even when I stole the check and told him I would pay because Hopkins would reimburse me, he insisted on paying. He finally broke down (not happily) and let me pay the toll on the way back (about $3).
The entire day he was such a gentleman, holding doors for me, making sure I was comfortable, running back to the car to get my sweatshirt, pretty much anticipating my every possible need. He was interested in me, in my life, in my family and was fun to talk to.
ok - so what's the kicker? It wasn't a date. And he did all this for me and we barely know each other. We may never see each other again. And yet I can hardly think of a date or two in my life that I have been treated with such overwhelming generosity and kindness. And it's not even about the money. I would have felt better being able to pay my share. Because of course the trip was about me in the first place. I'm la turista. But to know someone is thinking of me before thinking of themselves...
Maybe my standards have been too low.
And then I also have the example of Gui and his wife Zuraya (I was spelling it wrong before!). Not like I know them that well, but I've seen them interact quite a bit this week and they have what I want. They're happy with one another. Happy with each other's company. Interested in what each other has to say. Enjoy conversation and spending time together. Like to joke around. It's kind of an unrushed, comfortable relationship. But they clearly love each other, you can just tell the way they act towards one another. Why does that seem so hard to find? Maybe because most of us have unrealistic expectations about what a successful loving long-term relationship is supposed to be.
Friday, March 6, 2009
cuando el tiempo vuela
Boy this week has flown by! I finished up my research today, which is exciting. Now I only have to finish writing up my results, although I've done a good portion of that as well. I can't even begin to explain how much I have enjoyed this week. Perhaps a fellow data junkie could understand, but there was something about the environment I was working in, and having my own project that was exciting. It's a relief, actually, to know that my choice of a career path was not misinformed and that it's actually a good fit for me.
AND Dr. Borges said that he was glad I came and that I helped them out a lot - which is hard for me to grasp. But he told that to my advisor too! AND then today he and his wife took me out to this really nice restaurant - all fancy and everything. I took some pictures b/c it was located in an old hacienda - basically a huge house / almost a plantation like thing. It was beautiful. They had peacocks in the yard (which are quite loud). Anyway, he asked me about my plans after graduation, and when I said I had no idea, he said he would talk so some people he knows to see if they have something for me. WOW. The sad part of that is most of the people he knows are in California...
But anyway, i'm out for some nightlife with Mariel, so chao!
Besos!
AND Dr. Borges said that he was glad I came and that I helped them out a lot - which is hard for me to grasp. But he told that to my advisor too! AND then today he and his wife took me out to this really nice restaurant - all fancy and everything. I took some pictures b/c it was located in an old hacienda - basically a huge house / almost a plantation like thing. It was beautiful. They had peacocks in the yard (which are quite loud). Anyway, he asked me about my plans after graduation, and when I said I had no idea, he said he would talk so some people he knows to see if they have something for me. WOW. The sad part of that is most of the people he knows are in California...
But anyway, i'm out for some nightlife with Mariel, so chao!
Besos!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
nostalgia
i was not expecting to love Mexico City. Granted, I haven't had time for culture shock or anything to set in. And my head hurts from speaking poor spanish constantly. I guess maybe all the hype on its negative aspects subliminally gave me the thought that I would hate it. Or at least be anxious to return home.
What i DEFINITELY was not expecting was when during my first full day here, walking around downtown, to be hit full on with a wave of nostalgia. A stupid lump in my throat. It was so emotionally-driven that I had to figure out where on earth it was coming from!! And then I took another look around the crowded, cobblestone streets and realized: Spain! If I hadn't known any better, I would have thought I had been transported to Sevilla.
But even after realizing that I was surprised, because I had forgotten the intensity of my attachment to Sevilla, how I had been determined to return and live there for at least a year. I had forgotten the feel of what it was like to live there.
So many things have come back to me so vividly, things that I didn't realize I even remembered. The stores I used to shop in: Berksha, Pull and Bear. Stopping by the random ice cream stores at least twice a day. Milling about bookstores wishing I could haul more back with me in my suitcase. The buzz after having a successful (albeit short) conversation with someone.
*sigh* perhaps I'll have to remember my dream this time...
What i DEFINITELY was not expecting was when during my first full day here, walking around downtown, to be hit full on with a wave of nostalgia. A stupid lump in my throat. It was so emotionally-driven that I had to figure out where on earth it was coming from!! And then I took another look around the crowded, cobblestone streets and realized: Spain! If I hadn't known any better, I would have thought I had been transported to Sevilla.
But even after realizing that I was surprised, because I had forgotten the intensity of my attachment to Sevilla, how I had been determined to return and live there for at least a year. I had forgotten the feel of what it was like to live there.
So many things have come back to me so vividly, things that I didn't realize I even remembered. The stores I used to shop in: Berksha, Pull and Bear. Stopping by the random ice cream stores at least twice a day. Milling about bookstores wishing I could haul more back with me in my suitcase. The buzz after having a successful (albeit short) conversation with someone.
*sigh* perhaps I'll have to remember my dream this time...
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
hasta ahora
ok ok ok, so I haven't been writing. unexpectedly, I'd been really busy! I mean, I knew I'd be busy doing my research, but at nights i figured i'd be twiddling my thumbs. riiight. i should know myself better.
anyway, i'll try and do a quick recap of saturday through today.
Saturday:
two long flights! I always forget something when i travel, this time it was my headphones. And i didn't realize it until I sat down in my seat on the plane and reached in for my ipod, and came back with only an ipod. if i had checked, oh, 1/2 an hour earlier, i could've walked down the terminal and bought some.
customs in mexico took forever! i figured they'd be more blase' about it, but i guess not...
Dr. Borges and his wife picked me up, and they took me to this really cute authentic local taco place. The taco places here are really interesting. They're tiny. They're bright. They have little tables and little chairs. And the kitchens are right there in full view. Now, I can't speak for any other taco place, but this one reminded me of tapas in spain. the three of us picked out (or more accurately i let Gui and Zoriah pick out) a bunch of different tacos. They came on little plates, one or two at at time, two tacos on each one. And we just shared. they were yummy! and aparently this place hand-forms their tacos (not with a machine like most).
I checked in at my hotel and passed out
Sunday
Zoriah and Gui picked me up at my hotel at 11:30 - I slept like the dead and could have slept the day away probably. We met Ricardo, the programmer I am working with, and drove downtown and walked around all afternoon. We visited the main plaza (Zocalo), the palacio de bellas artes which has a lot of murals by famous artists (like Diego Rivera), the main catedral, and some aztec ruins beneath the city - amazing! Then we dined on a rooftop overlooking the catedral and the plaza. Exciting experience of the day: ordering my breakfast over the phone (ah, the glories of room service) completely in spanish. Successfully!
Monday
I started my research! Gui picked me up at 8am (man was that painful!) and drove me to the Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatria where he works and gave me a little tour. He has a little office on the 4th floor with a little computer/desk that he set up for me. I was terrified, especially when the day started out all wrong with the internet not working, the computer refusing to turn on, an important paper or something missing... blah blah blah. But it turned out ok. Gui took me to lunch at an on-campus cafeteria and ate with a friend of his who was very nice, but was difficult to understand her spanish at times. In the evening I walked across to the mall and ate and walked around for a little bit.
Tuesday
Research continued to go well. Ricardo came in the morning and helped me learn SUDAAN, which I was suprised at how quickly i picked it up. Ricardo is amazing - he's an incredibly gifted programmer, yet very humble. You would never know from looking at him. Anyway, we made more progress (according to Gui - I thought it took forever) than expected. For lunch Gui had one of his employees, Marisol, take me out for lunch. She's very enjoyable to talk to, extremely friendly, and patient with my horrible spanish. After work, Itziar's sister Mariel picked me up and we galavanted around town. We did a walking/driving tour of UNAM (the main university here where she goes to school and Zoriah works) - it's huge! then we went to Coyacan, the artsy part of town which is so cute! we ran into two of Mariel's friends, were thwarted in our attempts to eat mexican ice cream (we were all very disappointed), did some shopping in the local artesan shops, and ate tamales for dinner at an even smaller, cuter shop than the taco one. oh, and she indulged me and drove me to starbucks to get my necessary mug souveneir!
Wed (aka today)
Another early day, harder to get up today than previously. Research again is going very well. I like Gui very much, I think it just took a few days for us to warm up to each other. We're both naturally quiet. He was in meetings most of the day so I had the office to myself and was very productive. He gave me his calling card to call my sister because it was her birthday today, so I surprised her, and then he let us go early. 2pm!! I went back to the hotel, took a glorious nap, and then went to the mall for a quick eat and some shopping. It was a lot of fun! AND the best part is that Gui said "he was feeling generous" and is not going to pick me up until 9:30 tomorrow! so i can sleep in!
OK, so that's a quick recap. Unfortunately there are so many other things that I'd like to spend a little more time commenting on, but I need to get some homework done before going to bed! School continues on without me...
anyway, i'll try and do a quick recap of saturday through today.
Saturday:
two long flights! I always forget something when i travel, this time it was my headphones. And i didn't realize it until I sat down in my seat on the plane and reached in for my ipod, and came back with only an ipod. if i had checked, oh, 1/2 an hour earlier, i could've walked down the terminal and bought some.
customs in mexico took forever! i figured they'd be more blase' about it, but i guess not...
Dr. Borges and his wife picked me up, and they took me to this really cute authentic local taco place. The taco places here are really interesting. They're tiny. They're bright. They have little tables and little chairs. And the kitchens are right there in full view. Now, I can't speak for any other taco place, but this one reminded me of tapas in spain. the three of us picked out (or more accurately i let Gui and Zoriah pick out) a bunch of different tacos. They came on little plates, one or two at at time, two tacos on each one. And we just shared. they were yummy! and aparently this place hand-forms their tacos (not with a machine like most).
I checked in at my hotel and passed out
Sunday
Zoriah and Gui picked me up at my hotel at 11:30 - I slept like the dead and could have slept the day away probably. We met Ricardo, the programmer I am working with, and drove downtown and walked around all afternoon. We visited the main plaza (Zocalo), the palacio de bellas artes which has a lot of murals by famous artists (like Diego Rivera), the main catedral, and some aztec ruins beneath the city - amazing! Then we dined on a rooftop overlooking the catedral and the plaza. Exciting experience of the day: ordering my breakfast over the phone (ah, the glories of room service) completely in spanish. Successfully!
Monday
I started my research! Gui picked me up at 8am (man was that painful!) and drove me to the Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatria where he works and gave me a little tour. He has a little office on the 4th floor with a little computer/desk that he set up for me. I was terrified, especially when the day started out all wrong with the internet not working, the computer refusing to turn on, an important paper or something missing... blah blah blah. But it turned out ok. Gui took me to lunch at an on-campus cafeteria and ate with a friend of his who was very nice, but was difficult to understand her spanish at times. In the evening I walked across to the mall and ate and walked around for a little bit.
Tuesday
Research continued to go well. Ricardo came in the morning and helped me learn SUDAAN, which I was suprised at how quickly i picked it up. Ricardo is amazing - he's an incredibly gifted programmer, yet very humble. You would never know from looking at him. Anyway, we made more progress (according to Gui - I thought it took forever) than expected. For lunch Gui had one of his employees, Marisol, take me out for lunch. She's very enjoyable to talk to, extremely friendly, and patient with my horrible spanish. After work, Itziar's sister Mariel picked me up and we galavanted around town. We did a walking/driving tour of UNAM (the main university here where she goes to school and Zoriah works) - it's huge! then we went to Coyacan, the artsy part of town which is so cute! we ran into two of Mariel's friends, were thwarted in our attempts to eat mexican ice cream (we were all very disappointed), did some shopping in the local artesan shops, and ate tamales for dinner at an even smaller, cuter shop than the taco one. oh, and she indulged me and drove me to starbucks to get my necessary mug souveneir!
Wed (aka today)
Another early day, harder to get up today than previously. Research again is going very well. I like Gui very much, I think it just took a few days for us to warm up to each other. We're both naturally quiet. He was in meetings most of the day so I had the office to myself and was very productive. He gave me his calling card to call my sister because it was her birthday today, so I surprised her, and then he let us go early. 2pm!! I went back to the hotel, took a glorious nap, and then went to the mall for a quick eat and some shopping. It was a lot of fun! AND the best part is that Gui said "he was feeling generous" and is not going to pick me up until 9:30 tomorrow! so i can sleep in!
OK, so that's a quick recap. Unfortunately there are so many other things that I'd like to spend a little more time commenting on, but I need to get some homework done before going to bed! School continues on without me...
Sunday, March 1, 2009
not that i'm complaining...
... but I CANT believe that i wait and wait and wait for snow and then I leave the country and then B'more gets snow, and not just any ole snow, but predictions of the biggest storm of the year. I KNEW this would happen.
I guess i'll just have to enjoy the 80 degree weather here!
I guess i'll just have to enjoy the 80 degree weather here!
Mexico!!
So, here I am in Mexico City... and I feel like I have so much to say. But right now I'll be brief and will probably update more later tonight or tomorrow. I start my thesis research tomorrow, which is exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time. A few of you caught me in my nervous breakdown/hyperventilation stage on Friday evening, right before I left. The guy I'm working with is very nice, but kind of intense, so it intimidates me. But now I feel like I have a plan, so that helps.
Just a side note though: this whole thing has reminded me of my hidden complex, that only rears its ugly head at crucial times in my life, like NOW. Failure. Silly, actually, since I'm not sure I've seriously failed at anything in life (other than things like soccer or diving etc. etc.). Yet I still have this completely irrational fear of failure that overtakes me, paralyzes me, and makes me doubt everything - I can't even explain it. Except that on Friday I was sure this was the worst idea ever and that I am sure to make a complete fool of myself and I will never go anywhere in the career I have chosen blah blah blah.
So, all that means is I'm excited to have tomorrow over with, because once I get into my research I'm pretty sure that I will feel fine. :)
Just a side note though: this whole thing has reminded me of my hidden complex, that only rears its ugly head at crucial times in my life, like NOW. Failure. Silly, actually, since I'm not sure I've seriously failed at anything in life (other than things like soccer or diving etc. etc.). Yet I still have this completely irrational fear of failure that overtakes me, paralyzes me, and makes me doubt everything - I can't even explain it. Except that on Friday I was sure this was the worst idea ever and that I am sure to make a complete fool of myself and I will never go anywhere in the career I have chosen blah blah blah.
So, all that means is I'm excited to have tomorrow over with, because once I get into my research I'm pretty sure that I will feel fine. :)
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