Euro-trippin’ June 23, 2008
Posted by amorporchoco in mia.Tags: food, lab, travel
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Hi everyone! So I realized that it has been a while since I posted. People are moving (glad its so going so well Leah, rock those clothes!), Bianca has turned into a Mexican (you rock those clothes too, B – if only for a short time), Jen has turned 22 and also into a Mexican (keep up with the futbol!), and day has experienced the best birthday of his life (envy).
I’m going to get my first round of results today! So work is going great! Not to mention, the co-workers are amazing. I’ve gone to a few parties which were fun – but lacked in the dancing (and the O’Malley-ing) department. And with EuroCup we’ve pretty much been out every night! I had taken a break from travelling since the fun that was Zurich, learned my lessons, and then Mike and I took off to Triberg in the Black Forest.
We were expecting it to be a hiking, chill place with big mountains and a big waterfall. And it was definitely this. It was also kind of a tourist trap. I think anytime you walk around and you see the names of stores written in English (ex. ‘House of 1000 Clocks’), you know you’ve hit a tourist trap. Still, the scenery was great and there were indeed 3(tri – why not drei?) mountains (berg) surrounding it. There was a church with beautiful engravings called Maria en de Tanne, and we had a fun time quietly joking around via photography – it was empty don’t worry. Oh, and Black Forest Cake… SOOOOO good.
Lots of flirting going on here, but sadly, no results yet. But I had an amazing time flirting with this Ph.D. who is showing around the lecturer that is my new roommate for the next two weeks (#3). I tried speaking German with him, and then switched to Spanish on accident, and then English. And then we totally chatted in Spanish for ½ an hour. The other thing I love is that even if there’s nothing actually going on, I love the guys here. In general, they just dress soo much nicer, but without being metro or business like. Just right.
And this weekend I leave on vacation with my mom and aunt. Woot!!!
21 June 11, 2008
Posted by amorporchoco in mia.Tags: new friends, par-tay, travel
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Hola Coca Cola’s! I’m 21! and I was able to celebrate it like I would have back in Tucson! The members of my lab surprised me and took me out on the night of the 6th for an ‘American-style 21st’.. It was a great time, with tasty bier and food, and instead of ringing in the night with a shot, I did it German-style with sparkling white wine. I missed you all, and wish you could have been there. When Fall semester starts I’d love to do a 21st Take 2 with Kon Tiki and 4th Ave.
Last time I posted I had just returned from Zurich, which although marvelous ended on a somewhat sour note – me missing a connection and having to stay in a random town Sunday night and catch the early train to get back for work on time. It all worked out, but I decided to take a couple of weeks off from the big travel and hit some of the local sites. So this coming weekend I plan on visiting the castle in Tübingen and maybe this monastery called , which is a couple miles walk (although there is a bus).
The place I’m living is really great, but sadly, my Brazilian roommate changed to a different guest house that was more like an apartment, since his wife and two daughter will be spending the rest of the summer with him. He was really cool, and I’m sad to see him leave, but I’m glad he did – I may have gone crazy sharing my bathroom with that many people.
And in lab news, my experiments are starting to get into gear, and hopefully I’ll be analyzing them and getting some results next week! In the meantime, I’m learning techniques for what I’ll be doing and even getting to do some protein biochemistry. I’m super-psyched about this, because it’s something I’ve never done, and not sure I would have the opportunity to do in my lab.
I’ve also posted links to my personal blog, Vida Viaje (for now), which I’m updating and catching up on as much as possible. I’ve got the details of my travels, misadventures and daily grind here in Germany.
Hellooo (Echo) June 3, 2008
Posted by amorporchoco in mia.Tags: travel
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Well, my first almost two weeks here have been amazing. Tübingen is a beautiful, historic city balanced perfectly by the university and the culture that comes with it. The flat I’m living in is also gorgeous, with a big yard, nice view, and a fully stocked kitchen. Plus a maid – I’m going to be spoiled by the time I leave! I have a gorgeous walk (although I also take the bust) up and down hills through a neighborhood akin to Sam Hughes – except German and with more condo-like buildings. The lab is also great – I’m technically the only undergrad*, but everyone is really awesome (I’ve been lucky with labs 
). They even invited me to a BBQ my first weekend, but I was in Stuttgart.
Here’s the fun part, LOL. The reason I was in Stuttgart is to lookaround and [try to] get my computer fixed. See, I fell asleep on the plane from Atlanta to Stuttgart to lessen the jet lag. I got through customs fine, was shown around by Birgit, went home, and tried to start up my computer. What I didn’t know at the time is that water had gotten in it, and when I started it up, it fried. Weird sounds, blinking lights, erratic hard drive, etc. I left it alone, and while I was unpacking the rest of my carry on, I saw water damage on my magazines, etc. Seems like when I feel asleep, the kid next to me (who was super sweet) must have dropped his water on my bag. So it soaked in, I didn’t realize, and by the time I opened it up, there was no water to perceive = short circuits when the I started it up and electricity hit the water.
My Mac – yes, I went over to the Macside – is being sent Speedy Gonzales style from Nogales today, so hopefully I’ll be able to keep in touch more and fill in the gaps from the last two weeks. Tchoos! (AKA bye)
