6-29-11

We went to see the statue Inukshuk today. The water was gray, the sky was gray, and we sat on a park bench enjoying the view and peace. I love the way the water looked and the feeling of the damp air. It rained on our walk back to the hotel where we packed up and headed out for a day of travel. Arrived in Milwaukee after midnight.

6-28-11

Dan and I spent the morning at Granville Island and ate salmon fish and chips on a park bench for lunch. I'm ready to come home now though.

6-27-11

Lots to do today at the conference. We went to a reception this evening and took some cool photos walking around afterwards.

6-26-11

Today I had the two most important meetings of the conference starting at 8:30am. Woke up with a sick migraine around 5am and medicated myself enough to appear at my first meeting. Came back to the hotel and slept until the second meeting.

For dinner I had an idea that wasn't too taxing. I discovered a Whole Foods nearby that was on a bus route. I've been searching for Kombucha ALL over the place since arriving here and was determined to find some.

Meanwhile, Dan discovered a fish and chips place near English Bay Park on the same bus route. So for one bus ticket each we had our adventure. Never been on such a packed bus in my life.

So we took the #5 to the restaurant, ate dinner by the bay, took the bus back to the store, got the booch, and took the bus back to the hotel.

Now I'm drinking the booch and relaxing after a taxing day.

6-25-11

Woke at dawn and showed up at the conference center at 7:15. Breakfast and mingling, plenary speaker, then our workshop which went well. Good sessions, good day. The conference center is a platinum LEED certified building. I got a tour of the green roofs, and even tasted honey from the bees that live in hives on the roof.

For dinner, Dan and I walked to Chinatown, got sushi and ate in a park. We did a LOT if walking. We saw a different side of Vancouver. Where we are staying it's all Gucci and Tiffany's but the other side of the city smells like pot and has a seedy feel. Long day.

6-24-11

Testing new blogging tool from iPhone to see if I can upload multiple photos. We are in beautiful Vancouver on the 11th floor of a lovely hotel with remarkable views. Had dinner this evening with my old professor LGR and colleague Cat Woman. It's only 9:30 here but I'm soooo tired! Busy day tomorrow doing a workshop for teachers.

6-23-11

We made it to Wisconsin in 8 hours. Cold and misty here- we leave in the morning for even colder Vancouver. This is a photo of my in-laws garden.

This day on 6-23
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6-22-11

 

This is a new scoby, just 10 days old. A baby scoby formed on the top of the jar from the fermentation of sweet tea into kombucha.

 

This is an old scoby. It's still ok, still works, it was just used IN the tea and is about 20 days old. Momma scoby.

I started my biggest batch ever today- a whole gallon.

Not ready for my trip north. Must pack!!!

This day on 6-22
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6-21-11

 

 

 

 

Happy Summer! Lilies and hostas blooming in the garden after a rain. Today I was productive getting things done before the big trip north. Made pasta and greens for dinner.

This day on 6-21
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6-20-11

 

 

 

Today I worked on backing up all my photos to DVDs just in case. Had a meeting at school, cooked a chicken dinner with caramelized turnips and beets, and just plain enjoyed myself. Squirt is trying to sell some stuff he doesn't need anymore, including all these Xbox games.

This day on 6-20
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6-19-11

 

 

 

Happy Father's Day, Dan! Aza came over and we cooked dinner: steak on the grill, salad with brie-avocado-tomato, coleslaw with this amazing chocolate cake for dessert. We dined outside on the patio. Good times.

This day on 6-19
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6-18-11

I came home today to the lush bluegrass where the air is cool and the sun forgiving. Was welcomed by a myriad of computer issues- a bad bad virus, phishing emails, down email server- but it's goooood to be home. This picture just symbolizes my computer issues today.

This day on 6-18
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6-17-11

Last night in Houston, I discover the bathrobe in the closet and put it on. It's getting time to go home now- the novelty has worn off and I miss my family. It was a good week though and I'm glad I came to do this work. If only every consulting job were this easy and in such a nice place.

Had dinner tonight with Professor Jim and his wife at their lovely home near campus. We had shrimp scampi and spinach salad with Bluebell ice cream and strawberries for dessert. Delish!

This day on 6-17
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6-16-11

I just can't say enough about how beautiful Rice University is. The campus, the buildings inside and out, are just stunning. I walked by them today after the workshop. Had dinner with a fellow instructor at a French Cafe after the workshop and she gave me a tour of the medical complex and downtown too.

This is Lovett Hall, an administration building the students exit from to process in their graduation ceremony on the lawn.

 

 

The following pictures are of Duncan Hall, a stunning work of art which houses interdisciplinary engineering groups.

 

 

This day on 6-16
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6-15-11

Photo on Rice flag this morning on walk to with.

This day on 6-15
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6-14-11

This is the view from my hotel 17th floor window. Pretty awesome. Today went great- I presented my research to the teacher participants and we had a really good conversation.

The peaches here are really good. I ate two today and could use a few more!

This day on 6-14
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6-13-11

Today I worked with teachers in a workshop at Rice University. The meetings were in this building called The Design Kitchen. Boy, are they cooking up cool things there! I had a great day and met some nice people. I'm looking forward to tomorrow! This goes on all week.

This day on 6-13
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6-12-11

Today I am in Houston, Texas. It is so pretty here- I had no idea it would look like this. I'm helping out with a workshop for teachers all week at Rice University, the prettiest campus I've seen in a long time. Yes, UVA has some competition in Texas! I had brunch with my uncle and his wife, then spent the afternoon and evening with my aunt the biology teacher. We had a lot to catch up on. Good to have family just about anywhere I go...

This day on 6-12
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6-11-11

 

The bird is doing well in its planter home underneath the tree from which it fell. My neighbor was feeding it today, but the parents were feeding it too. It seems content enough in its roomy nest.

 

So I worked all day on my presentation for next week. Got it done and was proud of it. Almost as soon as I got it saved to Dropbox (I LOVE Dropbox), my hard drive crashed. We spent the evening trying to transfer files to my external hard drive because I think I'm going to need a new hard drive. Yuck.

This day on 6-11
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