Our Adventure in Europe
Amsterdam has been doing its part to get me back in shape – I bike everywhere, but I was missing a really good sweat inducing workout. I mean there was a time when I ran a 5K no problem. Ran a number of them in fact. Even tossed in a 10K and a mini-triathlon at one point. Then I got lazy. Sedentary. I took to the couch. Therefore, when I decided to get moving again I turned to the “Couch to 5k!” program to make it happen. And I LOVE IT!!
Read the rest of this entry »
This is my new philosophy. Along with practicing patience. Lots of patience.
So as many of you know, I was supposed to be going to China for my research project. The first date of departure was April 19th, then it was moved to May 7th, then May 13th, June 1st (you getting the picture?). Well, once we were told June 1st we sent an email requesting confirmation that we could in fact travel to China at this time to kick off the project….and we waited and waited for someone to say something about our visas and the confirmed travel date. Well, yesterday we heard June 20th!! At this point my supervisor flipped and sent a curt email back to these project partners about how we need to complete our theses in a certain time period in order to graduate!!! Aaahhhhh… Technically our research project period is April-July. We have already being pushing into August with these delays.
Read the rest of this entry »
At the start of 2008, I made a couple of simple yet powerful resolutions. I shared these with my college girlfriends on our blog, but recently realized I never brought my “enlightenment” to the Jeff & Staci blog viewers. My deepest apologies for not spreading the positivity:-) That is what I am embracing: A Positivity Movement!!! So here ya go (wisdoms from Peace425ed):
Read the rest of this entry »
Thought I would give some props to our cute little niece, Kieran, and nephew, Marcus. They are fun to watch grow up. Marcus, Jon and Christine’s son, turned a year in January and REALLY enjoyed his birthday cake (see pictures). Kieran, my sister’s girl, is growing like crazy….or so I see over email, webcam and photos.
This picture was from when Kieran and Marcus met for the first time over Christmas. They actually squealed in delight and seemed to carry on in their own language as they giggled and touched each others hands. It was positively hilarious. The next day on Christmas they could have cared less about each other. How fickle! Anywho, here is a Gallery dedicated to them.
So, today I took my last Master’s exam. The course was on International Context in Environmental Policy. Wanna know about the Rio Declaration? UNFCCC? A little about water treaties? Well, don’t ask me cause I am done! Woohoo!! Actually, this was possibly my favorite course yet!!! Alas, it has come to an end. As has my studies in Amsterdam.
Where has the time gone? I think back to first arriving, riding my bike to class, getting to know my classmates. Now I am overwhelmed with JOY I have no more exams ahead, but a deep sadness we now go our separate ways to Cameroon, Bolivia, China, Mozambique, Sweden, etc. I’ve have made good friends, and great memories, and only seem to be reminded life goes by quickly….so enjoy it!!
I realize most of you will be quite shocked to learn that we have actually started cooking here in Europe. Yep, the Queen and King of Take Out now use their kitchen for something other than clutter, take out cartons and cat food stations (but oh how I miss the kitties, sigh!).
We cook at home regularly, but our menu is not too diverse. We have 5 main meal nights:
Asian (yes, this could mean so many things as my sister the chef reminds me, but we do noodles/veggies/meat or tofu)
Taco night (which is really burrito night with my kick-ass guacamole)
Italian (umh, yeah you guessed it, pasta with red, butter, or pesto sauce/veggies/meat or soy)
American (mashed potatoes/corn/chicken or soy chicken)
Misc (couscous, veggies and soy for me, Jeff has meat and probably more meat)
Read the rest of this entry »
A coastal holiday. Ah, what a relaxing and European way to spend a weekend. Ok, so maybe we took this vacation all the way back in September. Figured it was about time I write about it. Albeit briefly, since I don’t remember a lot of names and details:-)
Read the rest of this entry »
We experienced our first snow in Amsterdam. Sure, there was a heavy frost the day we left to come home for the holidays (but that wasn’t really snow). There has been the occasional hail/almost snow moments. But tonight, we had snow!!!
Read the rest of this entry »
Well, I have some news!!! I am going to China! My research project will be in south central China on a biodiversity restoration project with the ultimate goal of reintroducing the Indochinese Tiger! Yep, a tiger reintroduction project!
Read the rest of this entry »
Just a reminder that Clan McLennan* will be back in Columbus from December 21-January 3 to celebrate the holidays with family and friends. When I am not annoying my cats by hugging them incessantly, I (and yes, Jeff) will be available for social gatherings to catch up on what has been happening in your lives since we left 4 months ago! So, if you want to meet for a meal, coffee, adult beverages, or just to chat, send us an email and let us know what dates work for you.
We are so looking forward to seeing everyone, and hugging kitties, eating Chipotle, hugging kitties, drinking at BWs, cuddling kitties and hitting Don Pablo’s happy hour. Yes, I miss my kitties! And all of you too of course:-)
Peace out!
*Jeff has decided we are no longer Team McLennan, rather Clan McLennan, so as to get back to his Scottish roots. (Yeah, after a few years of marriage you pick your battles and don’t ask questions when you won’t understand the answer anyways:-)). Anywho, I will do my best to keep him out of a kilt!
« Previous Page — « Previous entries « Previous Page · Next Page » Next entries » — Next Page »