An adorable discovery

I've been in Baltimore this week for the National Ground Water Summit (my second time! Last year's was in Denver. Oh beautiful Colorado....). I personally had such a great time with Dr. Joe and my lab mates, Ryan and Michelle. We each presented research, attended alot of talks that interested and inspired us, ate our fair share of sea food, and did some sight-seeing as well (stay tuned for photos!). Overall, a great trip!

On our third day there, I was lining up in Barnes & Nobles to pay for some books (they had Calvin and Hobbes treasuries for $8.... no way were Ben and I going to pass those up!) and this adorableness caught my attention:

image (c) My Milk Toof Inhae Lee 2009 - 2011. All rights reserved.

Fortunately for my student-sized piggy bank, I didn't need to buy the book to discover the wonderful world of My Milk Toof. Go check out My Milk Toof's blogspot and see for yourself!

Too many photos......

..... aerial photos, that is. I've been staring at aerial photography of the Waco region from 1972 for hours. Days, actually. My eyes are getting crossed from matching up road intersections (imaginary? perhaps.) between 1972 and 2010. And I still have the 1941 set to do! Yaaaay.....

Does this look like that?? Does it fit on the overall map??? Oh the questions........

Is it sad (or maybe just very indicative that I am in the right field) that I am not even truly sick of the snail-paced process itself.... just frusterated with the slowness only because I am on a deadline? (I daresay that if I didn't have a deadline, and if I got paid, I wouldn't mind this work so so much.......... brave words? Ha.)

Nevertheless, I need a break every once in awhile. And what better way than to.... enjoy the photography of others!! :) New photographer-love:

this modern romance || color and dust

I could spent soooo much time looking at, teasing apart and being inspired by these images! Alas.... my own images call me.

Spring banner!

The new banner has arrived! There's nothing quite like Texas spring flowers. Enjoy the bluebonnets!

Pretentiously drinking coffee...... for a cause.

I attended my first ever coffee cupping last night..... I never thought I'd ever drink coffee in such a frou-frou manner but there you have it. :p I actually learned alot - about coffee tasting, the coffee itself, and where the coffee comes from! The event was hosted by Common Grounds, our favorite artsy-fartsy coffee house in Waco (arguably my favorite anywhere). Located on the edge of campus in a little house, CG brims over with good coffee and creativity, and plays host to many concerts and shows.

What made this particular evening extra special was the fact that we weren't just there to enjoy a good cuppa joe. The coffee cupping was held in concert with a photo show to raise support for a little orphanage in Guatemala (Los fundaniños Orphanage). It is filled with the most precious little kids, and we spent the evening learning their stories. Being reminded that these aren't just nameless faces in a photograph - that behind each set of brown eyes was a life. Being part of the voice to tell these kids that people a world away are thinking about them.

Some peeks from the night (sorry about the poor photo quality.... all I had was my phone camera!):

Photos from the orphange taken by Jamie Montgomery were strung all around CG's backyard using wooden clothes pins and twine.

Photo gallery of some of the kids. I love this method of presenting photos! (Photos screwed onto wooden planks and randomly framed by wire)

We were encouraged to take our time looking at the photos, and to take one home so that we would be reminded of the children. For some reason, the boy on the right makes me smile when I see his photograph. We also had our pictures taken so that when our cheque made it to the Orphanage, the kids would know that there were real people supporting them and thinking about them.

This little one made it home with me. His name is Alejandro and I could. not. resist him. Seriously, how could you resist that face?? He's about a year old and they don't know much about his story.... only that he - like lots of other babies there - never cries because he's learned that even if he did, no one will come to comfort him. It makes me so sad. Children so little shouldn't have to become so jaded, y'know? I pray through his being at Los fundaninos, he will get loved on and cared for, and that one day he will be able to trust again..........

Today's schedule

4h30 :: wake-up 5h45 :: actually wake-up

6h50 :: arrive at school

7h00-9h00 :: do some major creative writing for a grant due Monday (that I found out about yesterday late afternoon). Pray. Alot.

7h10 :: Mum calls to offer encouragement and a prayer (hurray for mommies!)

9h30 :: Meet with Dr. Joe regarding said grant (this will be interesting....)

11h00 :: Meet Bestie et al. at home

11h30ish :: Embark on major birthday festivities in Austin.

Goal :: make it to 11hoo with sanity intact.

Self-professed dork.

I read alot of blogs. They are the perfect length of reading (or looking, in the case of photo blogs) in between interpreting thermal-band satellite imagery and grading papers - and let's be honest - while procrastinating. I love getting a peek into other people's lives and see how they put their lives together, and how/what they create. Oftentimes their creativity sparks my own.

A little while back I stumbled upon Oh, Mishka..... what I love about her is that she is both a stylish and creative soul while studying and loving geology! She posted a very fun list of nerdy tidbits about herself today, which has inspired me to make my own list (yes, laugh. I know you are.).

My list, however, will be a list of dorky tidbits because as my advisor and I have established, a nerd, a dork, and a geek are not the same thing. You have to be really brilliant (think Sheldon Cooper) to qualify for nerd-dom. A geek is slightly less brilliant, but still very very smart. A dork is probably the lowest on the smart cookies spectrum, and is also somewhat goofy/quirky. In otherwords: me. Without further ado:

* I openly claim to be a dork and am fairly proud to be one. I'm not sure that there is anything dorkier.

* When my little sister was in first grade, she was looking for something to bring to school for show-and-tell. I gave her rocks, and proceeded to teach her the three rock types. I successfully convinced her that rocks are cool!

* Every time I watch Kingdom of Heaven and it's the scene where the men are digging a well, when they hit water the thought, "They hit the water table!" rings in my head. Without fail.

* In high school, while the rest of my class moaned and groaned their way through Shakespeare, I read ahead while my teacher explained each scene and puzzled as to why they found it so hard to understand.

* I love Star Wars. I wish I had a light sabre.

* When I see a bird, I think about their flight pattern (bounding? soaring?). When see a kitchen countertop, I think about the minerals that comprise the granite. 'Nuf said.

Lol. There are SO many other things, but this is incriminating enough! What are some quirky/dorky things about YOU?

ps: My brother is now a married man! I can hardly believe that the boy who used to build Lego towns and read Calvin and Hobbes with me is starting his own family. Photos will be posted.... soon....

pps: Spring has arrived in Texas! New banner and photos are coming!!

Staying out late in the field has its benefits....

That was from yesterday, day 1 of spring break. I'm looking forward to getting lots done this week, with some fun and relaxation thrown in. :)

In other news: My brother is getting married in less than two weeks!!

Dust bunnie gets a bath

Once upon a time, there was a dog named Charlie. Charlie is sweet, loyal, curious, and loves to follow his nose.


One day, he spotted his Auntie Steph's purse on the floor..... lo and behold! What is that black pouff attached to her bag? He couldn't help but go over for a closer look. It was Dust Bunnie! Charlie decided that Dust Bunnie would make the perfect playmate and tried to separate him from the purse..... but not before Auntie Steph spotted him and plucked Dust Bunnie away.

You foiled my perfect plan! Charlie thought.

Dust Bunnie, you're stinky! Auntie Steph thought.

And so, Dust Bunnie got a bath.

Eeeek! Water! Dust Bunnie thought.

But Auntie Steph didn't listen. Rub-a-dub-dub......

Dust Bunnie even tried a new hair style.

Aw nuts I can't keep my mohawk?

Before long, Dust Bunnie was squeaky clean and smelling nicely again. And he was none the worse for wear.

The end. :)

Today I am thankful for......

* pay-day.....

* a full weekend-long preview to the spring.....

* pay-day.....

* sweet people for whom I am infintely glad to have in my life, and who are genuinely glad that I am a part of theirs.....

* pay-day.....

* groceries.

Dear Columbia,

I needed new hiking boots. I must confess, I didn't want to seem a shallow brand-loyalist, so I tried hard not to pick your boots. I briefly entertained a commitment to Wind River boots.... but in the end your fantastic track record (through snow, sleet, mountain, mud, and river.....), waterproof-ness, and Omnigrip won me over.

I tried so hard to resist.

Honest.

Even in defeat, I must say that I do not regret choosing you You have rightly earned my loyalty, and I will never stray again.

Amen.

Subversive God

"Subversive Jesus and His Trojan Horse".

At first glance, the title intrigued me. Where is the link between Jesus and the famed Trojan horse that led to the downfall of Troy? But read this article.... it makes you think. And it's a good thing to think on, especially at the start of the year, the time of fresh starts and new beginnings. Especially during this time in my life, when the question of "What is Jesus' goal for my life" - in the career/life's work sense as well as in the "general progress" sense that Packiam is talking about - is part of my daily thought life. Read this. It's good stuff to think on.

"This faith that we've embraced, this Life that we have taken into our hearts, will be our undoing. And it means to be that. It's designed to be the end of us...... He is the Trojan Horse of blessing that we readily welcome into our hearts without knowing His mission to destroy us." (Glenn Packiam)

Full article here.

What I've Been Up To.......

My third semester of grad school is winding down..... it's hard to believe that by this time next week I will be back in my parents' house, hanging out with my family and squishing my sister! I've been spending alot of time up at school working on various projects, but I've been up to other things too! Namely,

.... making things.....

.... and trying my hand at fashion photography.

I'm so thankful that eventhough I'm a scientist by training, I have so many opportunities to dabble in the arts. I love my life! :)

Dusty......

I realize that it's been an age and a half since I last posted! Every time this page comes up I think, Hmm. It's been a loooong time since April. I really should post something. And it's not the summer anymore.... the banner needs changing.

But alas........ my days were absolutely full, neglect has piled on top of neglect, and before I had time to take it all in, Thanksgiving is nearly here (NEXT WEEK). And then final projects are due. In a few short weeks I will be back in Canada! Where does the time go?!

At least I'm being a bit better about processing the photos that I take, so at least if you go here or here, there is a visual record of what I've been up to. Maybe now that I've bit the bullet and posted again (7 months later?! Oi), Shards will see more activity? We'll see. ;)

For now, I wanted to post a photo of the beautiful aspens in Colorado that I took while on a field trip this fall...... yes it's been so long between posts that I've gone BACK to CO since April:


Bracketing this long hiatus with the gorgeous Rockies...... it gives the blog a sense of symmetry, don't you think? If Shards doesn't have content, at least it's got symmetry!!

Right?

Return to the Mountains

I'm in Colorado. About to make my debut presenting my research at a national meeting.

EEPS.

For today though, it was all about savouring being in the Rockies. And it was sweet. :) Look, isn't it beautiful?


We arrived in Denver early this afternoon and took our time settling in. Our day was perfectly ended with dinner on the patio at this little gem. The food was local, organic, and seasonal.... the servers were friendly.... the restaurant itself had a great indie flair and the atmostphere was comfortable and groovy. It was such a fabulous meal... we might be back for seconds before it's time to go home!

Just a quick note

Spring break has come and gone.... hardly a blip amongst my days. Let me make this statement:

SCHOOL IS EATING ME ALIIIIIIVEEEE.
I so should not be here right now.... considering that I should be reading, or writing, or grading, or mapping, or maybe doing dishes/showering/sleeping (optional these days!)......

And yet I still don't hate it (watch me eat my words shortly!). Ha. This only from a dorky career-student! But y'know.... it's been nearly a month since my last post so I figure it's time to drop in here!

Really, spring break FEELS like it never happened, but it did. And it was important. And good. It was an adventure involving many airports and flight itineraries, and I got to see my family. My immediate family. I got to squish and poke my siblings, and got loved on by my mum and dad.

And - most importantly - I got to see my grandma:

It was very good to see her and spend some time with her. Honestly we don't know how much more time she has.... as she says, she is certain that Jesus keeps her alive every single day. Oh that we would be so aware of this reality!

Amongst the photos taken with Grandma that I so treasure, I think this last photo is one of my favorites. A part of my larger family that I don't get to see nearly enough:

It was really sweet to get time with the family. I enjoyed getting loved on by extra people, and hearing stories from my dad's youth (like how my aunt's convinced Dad to take the hit when they were all responsible for breaking Grandma's plate... and how she didn't buy the story and grounded them ALL) as well as more recent stories (like how my 80-plus grandma correctly diagnosed my uncle's heart condition when all the other specialists that he'd gone to said he had asthma.... the woman is still one kickass radiologist!).

Waking up.

I woke up this morning on the couch.

Still in street clothes.

With the lights still on.

With last night's leftovers still waiting to be put away thrown out now.

With the laptop still staring blankly at me.

With my grant proposal still unfinished.


Question du jour: Why can't grant proposals write themselves?

Uncharacteristic

It's been snowing in Waco. Not that it never snows here, but it's certainly not a usual occurrence. I hear that this winter has been uncharacteristically cold and snowy. It's hardly anything by standards at home, but since I've never been an enthusiastic fan of snow, this is just right for me. And it seems like Baylor students like it too! I think everyone and their dog is outside making snowmen or playing with the white stuff:

It got us half a snowday.... which really just means a couple extra hours of procrastination work time for us in-over-our-heads-busy grad students, but it's still pretty sweet if you ask me. :)

Woman without a country

I've loved experiencing the south side of the border as more than a tourist.... the transition has overall been easy and very blessed. Gotta say though.... being a foreign national has its interesting parts. I have become the reference for all jokes and questions related to the north (I have been asked multiple times about curling since the Winter Olympics started!), and being teased about my Canadian-ness has become an established part of the relationship between my advisor and me. It's pretty entertaining, although one really has to be able to laugh at herself and be secure about who she is! I found this a few weeks ago and thought it was clever:

I couldn't resist showing this to Dr. Joe (my advisor), even knowing that this would be giving him more ammunition for his teasing! He uses this every chance he gets. :p

All this teasing about my "foreignness" has all been well and good.... until this past week. During a phone call home with my parents, my dear dear sister, who was watching the Olympics men's halfpipe event, yelled out, "Your country is killing us!!!"

Ex-CUSE me?!

All the Canadian jokes I have endured since moving here could not have prepared me for this heated accusation. I was shocked! Offended! What a thing to come out of such a darling mouth!! Since when was my Canadianship revoked without my notice??

Somehow, I have become a woman without a country.... because as Dr. Joe put it when I told him about this incident, "your country has disowned you, and we have not yet accepted you."

Reeling from the loss,
Steph.

Divine Romance.

I can't get enough of this beautiful song right now..... (and I sure wish I could play like that! :p)



The fullness of Your grace is here with me
The richness of Your beauty’s all I see
The brightness of Your glory has arrived
In Your presence God, I’m completely satisfied

For You I sing I dance
Rejoice in this divine romance
Lift my heart and my hands
To show my love, to show my love

A deep deep flood, an Ocean flows from You
Of deep deep love, yeah it’s filling up the room
Your innocent blood, has washed my guilty life
In Your presence God I’m completely satisfied

- Phil Whickam (c) 2006

Christmas photos!

Yea they're sorta late, but here is the start of them! Lots will be added, but here are the first few. It's actually nice to be going through these awhile after the holidays have ended.... it brings back so many sweet moments. :)

Act I: Bubblicity date with Karen and Sonja.