An International Education Conference in Los Angeles!

After taking the train up the beautiful California coast to LA, it was time to switch gears and put on my conference smile. The Association of International Educators (NAFSA) hosts a colossal annual conference promoting the exchange of students and scholars from the U.S. Even with the economic downturn, a record breaking 7,400 people attended the conference sending a message that international education continues to grow regardless of the economy. Back in March, I was asked to represent Erasmus Mundus, the EU-sponsored two-year Master's program, at the European Commission booth. Coupling my two great passions: Europe and higher education, I could not think of a better way to spend four days (in a nerdy PhD sort-of-way). I talked to international education specialists from around the nation about my Erasmus Mundus experience, the program, higher education in Europe, and I also hosted a poster session based on research from my thesis. Okay, I think my cup is overflowing with lots of good Erasmus Mundus vibes right now. Of course there were a few good educational sessions I attended...and the plenary speaker was Bangladeshi economist and Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus. My thought after listening to his inspirational talk about microfinance: the American banking system sucks!

The social aspect of my LA visit was just as good! The Denver Nuggets were playing the LA Lakers in the NBA playoffs. Go NUGGETS! My fellow colleagues and I joined the Laker fans and cheered on the Nuggets, even though they experienced an agonizing loss. Argh, we (the Nuggets) lost the playoffs, but we did give the Lakers a run for their money in the first few games.

My trip to LA could not be complete without hanging out with my dear friend from high school, Bridget! We had lost touch over the years, yet this visit made it seem as if no time had passed. We visited many of the LA hot spots, including the Standard rooftop bar complete with a vibrating waterbed pods (no joke!), a panoramic view of downtown LA, and a heated swimming pool. I crawled into bed at 3:58 a.m. and had a poster session at 8:30 a.m. I think it's time to get back to PhD life in Athens...

A Birthday Celebration in San Diego!

A long birthday weekend in San Diego resulted in a few war wounds and of course an omnipresent perma-grin. My little kid brother resides two blocks from Pacific Beach which makes a beach vacation effortless, especially with the beach cruiser bicycles. We celebrated my birthday with many rounds of tequila. A great way to spend time with my brother, celebrate another year of being alive, and realize how old I am when I awoke the next morning with an "adult" hangover. On Saturday, after a lazy morning, we hit up Torrey Pines State Reserve and hiked the coastline. This area is beautiful with eight miles of trails perched high above on rocky cliffs overlooking the unspoiled beaches. We hiked and found a few spots ideal for yoga. Unfortunately, this State Park may be shut down due to the dire California state budget ordeal.









Every Memorial weekend a big group of my brother's friends gather for an annual kick-ball tournament on Sunday. Imagine 40 people (including a few San Diego Chargers--Nate Kaeding) playing kick-ball for 4 hours with the following rules:

1.) Everyone must have a beer in hand when catching the ball in the outfield.

2.) When you run to first base, you must pick up one of the cold beers, pop it open and begin drinking.

3.) The beer, picked up at first base, must be finished before touching home base (there are "coaches" to assist with the beer drinking at third base).

Needless to say, carnage ensued: broken toes (see photo of Bobby's nasty foot...with a broken toe and toe jam...ick!), pulled hamstrings, and lots of laughing.

Off to Los Angeles...

Happy Thanksgiving from SUNNY San Diego!

My parents drove to California from Colorado to celebrate Thanksgiving with my kid brother and me. This year was special, as the past two years I was living in Europe where Thanksgiving is nothing but another work day. Therefore, the home-cooked turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green beans cooked by none other than the spectacular cook--Mama Weimer--was a long-awaited delicious meal. Not to mention, it was just simply brilliant to be in the company of my loving (and wacky...see fountain photos) family. Before eating we walked down to the beach for my last sunset. After dinner I bid my goodbyes and begrudgingly jumped onto a red-flight to Atlanta. In all of my travels, this was perhaps the first time I struggled to board the plane. If I had my druthers I would have reverted back to my childhood years and thrown myself on the floor in a wild kicking and screaming tantrum. But, tantrums at my age are a bit inappropriate. I guess it's time to go back to reality...Georgia.

To San Diego: La-La Land!

After a 4.5 hour flight to San Diego, I wasted no time and allowed vacation mode to kick in and consume my physical and mental being. Woohoo! After four months of a rather difficult transition back to the motherland (USA) coupled with the mixed emotions of PhD life…I find myself in the nurturing space of la-la land. What exactly is la-la land, you ask? Well, let me tell you…
1.) Yoga on the grassy knoll overlooking Pacific Beach (serious),
2.) Tequila, pictionary, silliness, and yoga at 2 a.m.—and a brutal hangover the next day,
3.) Soul searchin’ conversation with my little kid bro,
4.) Daily walks at 4:30 p.m. just in time to catch the Pacific Beach sunset,
5.) Hot yoga with my cousin (Corepower),
6.) Fish tacos and margaritas with my parental units and bro,
7.) No alarm clock,
8.) Contemplating where I have been and where I am going,
9.) Enjoying the eye-candy of beautiful & fit California people,
10.) And, just enjoying the moment.

No writing, no articles to read, no academic profile to sustain, just me, my heart, and a beautiful week in San Diego. Let's not talk about how I SHOULD be studying...which will make for a hellish week when I return to Georgia.