Back and Off Again

September 3, 2009

1:02 PM

I'm back! Well, in spirit. I'm about to head onto a plane and leave again (for the 9th plane trip this year)! In fact, I have been on a plane every month since last march, and will continue to be through April with the possible exception of November. With all the time I'm spending in the air, you think I would get over my fear of flying, but I am still nervous with every take off, or sprout another arm from the radiation.

So what have I been up to? Well, the flying started with an internship at Microsoft Research (MSR) which was awesome. I got to play with cool data and work with very smart people. You know that recruiting question when the recruiter asks whether the candidate would rather be a little fish in a big pond, or a big fish in a little pound? I think my response should be a medium fish in the ocean. I love having so much to learn from everyone, and still having an impact. It was an amazing experience, I highly recommend it.

Then it was often to Boston for SIGIR and my first paper talk. Last year my lab mate, Jessica, presented my work at ADMA, so this was my first time address an audience and I was nervous! There was some absolutely breathtaking architecture, but silly me brings my camera and not the battery charger. Ah well, Domingo and I will have to make a return visit some day.

Next Domingo and I planned a romantic getaway to Hawaii. It was our practice honey moon. We spent ten days on Oahu, hiking, snorkeling and enjoying a good luau or two. This time I remembered my camera, and took over 2 thousand pictures! Talk about great practice. I think I am improving, what do you think?

After we got back, we tackled the deck improvement project we had been talking about since we moved in. When we were house hunting last year we were looking for a read-to-move in, but none wee in absolutely perfect condition. The one we settled on was good overall, but the deck hadn't been sealed in years, and the wood was old looking. So a few weekends ago we finally got around to removing the old dead plants from the planters, stripped what remained of the old seal and re-sealed. Looks much better now, doesn't it?

As for Lily, she is still doing well. Enjoying her sunshine. She'll be bummed when the rainy season starts.