International Dinner Soiree

Charlie and I have been talking about hosting a dinner party with all of our fabulous internationally-minded friends since the fall. Finally, the soiree grew wings as we hosted a group of eight friends from Brazil, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and the motherland on Saturday p.m. Of course the evening included a few games with special guests Gadhafi, Cinderella, Lady Gaga, Bono, and even Darwin (have you ever played the game where you get a famous name stuck to your forehead and you have to guess who you are by asking yes/no questions?) We also played the old-time favorite charades while wearing Mardi Gras beads and ended the evening with a grand finale of everyone's favorite make-me-sweat wii game. Charlie and I spent a good portion of the afternoon cooking up a storm: chicken and chickpeas (for the carnivores in the group), polenta, caprese salad, and ratatouille. Delicious! We topped off the evening with some Belgium chocolate and a serious dance-off! This was definitely the highlight of the evening as we danced and sweated to the Wii Michael Jackson Experience. Imagine Gadhafi, Justin Bieber, Bono, and even George Bush dancing like zombies to the Michael Jackson classic "Thriller"...if that does not spell world peace, I am not sure what does. Oh, I cannot forget to thank Raul and Jose for willingly participating in Leasa's infamous "jumping" photos. Yes, more to add to my collection!

San Francisco & a Leopard-Print Bathrobe.

Seriously, I love San Francisco...the beautiful views of the bridges, funky architecture, sour dough bread, walking up and down the steep hills, Ghirardelli chocolate, cable car, and the diversity. I arrived on a Saturday afternoon (2 days before the conference began) and it just so happened to be raining (more like a torrential downpour). Guess what I forgot to pack? Um, yeah an umbrella. Oh well! I hopped on an airport shuttle and to the city I went. A beefeater, dressed up like a bodyguard of the British Monarch (see photo to left and below) greeted me at the entrance of my hotel...I stayed at the Union Square Sir Francis Drake, instead of the over-the-top expensive conference hotel. (Ah, the joys of being on a grad student travel budget.) Actually the Sir Francis Drake was one block from the conference hotel. So, it made for a very convenient spot to stay, plus it was located on Powell St. where the cable car runs, plus it offered some VERY cool amenities (keep reading...), plus the dude dressed in red threads with a fancy flowery hat greeted me every time I entered/exited the hotel. On arrival I checked into the funky, yet swank hotel and walked across the street to Walgreens (how convenient) to pick up an umbrella. WHAT...$18 for an umbrella? I must be in the big city! I skipped the umbrella purchase and instead decided to check out the hotel digs. I soon realized that the best hotel amenity was in the closet...two super chic bathrobes--one leopard print and the other zebra print. Ahhhh...some. I tried both of them on (not at the same time), decided on the leopard print, and lounged around in the hotel room (with free wireless) until the rain subsided around 7 p.m. Then, out to see the city, which was great timing because the Chinese New Year parade just so happened to be traveling right by my hotel.

The next day was SUNNY! Did my morning yoga, laced up the walking shoes, and headed out to explore the city. I walked all over...first to Whole Foods for breakfast. Then, to Chinatown, North Beach (smell that garlic), Fisherman's Wharf, and Ghirardelli Square. From there I walked up, up, up Hyde Street and down, down, down the crooked Lombard Street and slowly made my way back to the hotel. After a full day of walking my legs were tingly and the leopard print bathrobe never felt so good.

The next two days were intense conference days...thus, I did not leave the conference hotel except to walk back to/from the Sir Francis hotel. It was sad to leave SF...such a great trip!

Awesomesauce Award

My amazing boss at the UGA Office of International Education nominated me for an award. How awesomesauce (my new word) is that? As PhD students, we are rarely thanked or honored for the work we do. Rather we go through the bowels of academia being continually critiqued, hazed, and used as cheap labor before we are pushed out out of the constipated system (hopefully with three letters beside our name) and into the swirling toilet of the real world. Okay, that was rather graphic...and it is really NOT that bad. I do have a few lazy mornings (which I love). I do have a fairly flexible schedule (which I love). I do work often from coffee shops (which I love). AND...I did just win an award.

In late November, I received an email with the subject titled, "Congratulations on the Josephson Award!" Woohoo. The nomination alone was a super-duper honor as the UGA Associate Provost for International Education and the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs both signed the nomination letter. I was invited to attend the AIEA annual conference to network with the big international higher education gurus, share my research, and collect a plaque in front of 650 people. *Bonus: the conference was in one of my favorite cities in the U.S., San Francisco (oh, how I love thee).

Anyway, here are the details of the award: The Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) Harold Josephson Award:
"The award was established to honor the memory of Dr. Josephson, a long-time leader in AIEA and Assoc. Vice Chancellor of International Programs at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, who died in 1998. The award recognizes emerging leadership in international education through the student's graduate study and research, especially research in the field of international education."

So, long story short: Even though grad school can be ego-busting and extremely frustrating at times...if you continue to follow your heart who knows all of your hard work may be recognized one day. I know, I know...this is such an Oprah moment, not to mention an American cultural value.

A Life Lesson: Patience!

I am waiting, waiting, waiting to hear from the Fulbright Commission whether or not I am awarded a grant to do my dissertation research in Finland. Patience does not come easy for me, so everyday is a lesson in embracing this idea of not knowing what tomorrow (or for that matter next year) will bring. Plus, according to the yogic philosophy I should be living in the present and not worrying or anticipating the future...so here I sit, like the meditating frog, as my mind clutter keeps me in the present moment.

As I continue to wait, a small group of us (from my PhD cohort) are meeting bi-weekly to help one another stay on-task and motivated. I have a dissertation calendar filled with things I want to accomplish in the next three months...IRB, chapters 1, 2, and 3, interview protocol, etc. So far, so good...I have been somewhat productive. I am working through the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process, which is a long-drawn out process with a series of 20 internet-based tests on the ethical treatment of human subjects and research. Ugh. Next up: rough draft of chapter one and the IRB proposal.

Wiggin' Out: B-52s Style!

Athens is pretty hot when it comes to the local music scene. Did you know that the rockin' B-52s hail from Athens? And, also REM, Indigo Girls, and the hippie jam-band Widespread Panic. Of course when a home grown band comes back to play in their motherland...you better believe it is a SOLD OUT show. In true B52 style they asked the local fans to wear "party duds" for the filmed concert. Thus, I got my hands on a rock star mullet (thanks to my super awesomesauce friend Elizabeth) and then Charlie suddenly had hair! While his new hair was amusing for all especially as we walked through downtown Athens, the B52s stole the show with their wicked dance moves from the 80s and their surprisingly good voices. The B52s got started in the late 1970's and four decades later they are still rockin' out. I gasped when I heard that all of the band members were in their late 50's and early 60's...really? Damn, I hope I can shake it like that when I am middle-aged. They played all of the favorites, "Private Idaho", "The Deadbeat Club", and my favorite 1989 hit, "Love Shack":

"...I'm headin' down the Atlanta highway,
lookin' for the love getaway
Heading for the love getaway, love getaway,
I got me a car, it's as big as a whale
and we're headin' on down
To the Love Shack
I got me a Chrysler, it seats about 20
So hurry up and bring your jukebox money

The Love Shack is a little old place
where we can get together
Love Shack baby, Love Shack bay-bee.
Love baby, that's where it's at,
Ooo love baby, that's where it's at"

The Latest PhD Update?!

IMABD! (Instead of fighting all of these acronyms in this world of ours, I might as well join the masses, right?) ABD!

What is ABD?
All. but. done. (True!)
Already. been. done. (Wishful thinking...I have not even begun the dissertation research/writing process.)
A. booty. dance. (Probably something I will do as I put the finishing touches on my dissertation!)
Academia. be. damned. (A feeling that comes and goes.)
A. book. disorder. (Yep, I will be buying MORE books for my shelves.)

NO (seriously), ABD (in my world) means:
All. but. dissertation. =someone who is working on their PhD and has completed all of the requirements BUT NOT the dissertation.

Yes, so I have managed to get through the comprehensive exams, oral defenses, and in late January I defended my prospectus (dissertation proposal) followed by my major professor signing all of the paperwork to officially admit me into PhD Candidacy world. Woohoo! This means that my almighty status as a "PhD student" has been glorified to "PhD Candidate." (The trumpets and angels sing loudly!)

To be honest, the last 8 months since finishing up the two years of coursework has been a whirlwind of stress and excitement. There are a lot of steps (obstacles and hoops to jump through) to this American PhD journey. But, now I have the green light to research my topic of choice. Now what?

A Whole Foods, Plant-Based Diet.

Yep. I am a veggie head, a plant-strong vegan diva, and a whole-grains plant-based adventurer. Officially. So, what does all of this mean?

Ever since my Rubbersoul Yoga Adventure experience and being introduced to a more vegan way of eating, I have decided to shift my diet away from animal protein and dairy to more whole grains and plants. While the Adventure Club introduced the vegan concept and health benefits to me (read The China Study), my own research (check out Engine2Diet, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, and the interview with Bill Clinton) sealed the deal: I am moving to a plant-strong diet! The good news: Charlie proclaimed in early January (the exact date is disputed at this time) that he was interested in joining me on this journey of no meat and dairy. Yea! (Note to reader: NO, I did not hold him down and give him a wet willy or an elbow to the groin before his manifesto to go vegan.)

After a trip to Atlanta to see a special pre-release screening of the movie Forks Over Knives (to be released May 6), we were both sold on the idea, as the movie outlined all of the research we have been following. So, now we are two veggie heads exploring the glorious world of, "crap, I think that has dairy in it" to "my bowel movements are so much more enjoyable" to buying a t-shirt with four large letters scrolled proudly across the shirt--KALE (Charlie made that purchase because he has developed a new love affair with kale). I have to say this lifestyle change has been fun, yet not without challenges, and having Charlie as a partner-in-crime has made it so much easier.

My biggest fear (and a rather large cultural myth) about going without animal protein was the pure lack of protein. Growing up as an athlete I was brainwashed to think that the only thing that would re-build my muscles was animal protein...so I ate lots of animal protein especially when training for the marathons. But, we have learned that plant protein is just as good, if not better, than animal protein. Here are a few examples:
good plant protein: arugula, kale, spinach, etc.,
high-protein grains: quinoa, bulgar, brown rice
legumes: black, white, pinto, chick peas, etc.

Recently, I have been searching out blogs for recipes and stumbled on a few interesting things:
-Did you know that Alicia Silverstone is a veg-head too (and also one of my favorite actresses)? Well, she has a blog dedicated to the book she wrote on "green" living, the Kind Life.
-Oprah just recently presented a week-long show on veganism and encouraged viewers to eat vegan for one week.
-Mark Bittman, a.k.a. "The Minimalist" recipe guru from the NY times has decided to give up his column after 13 years, so he could dedicate his time to focus on advocating for a healthier way of eating: more veggies, more grains, and more legumes.

There is something going on here...a movement of sorts and who knows where it will take us...maybe it will bring back some of the local farmers and rid the American culture of processed and genetically-modified food.

Road Trip to Ohio.

In the U.S., Martin Luther King is celebrated every year with a three-day weekend. This year, King's birthday weekend, January 14-18, consisted of an 8 hour drive up north to visit Charlie's homeland...Ohio. I always love a good road trip with good music, good conversation, and the lovely country side and this trip did not disappoint. The drive up to Ohio takes you through the beautiful national forest in Tennessee and Kentucky before arriving in Cincinnati. Charlie had the drive all planned out, including where we would stop for dinner. The problem was that he had never been on a road trip with me. Thus, he quickly found out NOT to buy me tea or let me drink any sort of liquid beverage, otherwise we would be stopping every 45 minutes to visit the local toilets. Oh, the joys of having a bladder of a small dove! Despite numerous stops, we arrived at a yummy dinner location in Lexington, Kentucky, Alfalfa's. A delicious veggie plate, salad, and soup (woohoo, for a plants-based diet) filled our bellies and we were ready for Ohio.

The trip was great; I got a glimpse into the real Charlie as I met all of his childhood buddies and saw where he grew up. We spent a few days with his parents and I even managed to put in a few hours of writing.

Ever since I have known Charlie...he has talked up this amazing "international market", a.k.a. Jungle Jim's, in Ohio. Of course I had to see it with my own eyes. What an experience...food from around the world, bathrooms made of port-a-potties, singing (plastic) pirates, and a produce section that would make any vegetarian foam at the mouth. We left with goodies from around the world and some homemade salsa that was out-of-this-world-delicious!

Snow Day #3: 5 inches of snow, 1 snow plow...3 snow days. You do the math!

Campus closed, again! Old man winter is alive and kicking in Georgia. The temperature has not risen above 35 degrees, hence the reason we have yet another snow day and a little cabin fever. Time for a walk around campus under the beautiful blue skies filled with sunshine. How many men does it take to shovel the steps to the Geography building? Seven men (eager to stop shoveling for a quick smile and wave to the camera). Notice the snow/ice filled sidewalks and DRY roads. Hmmm...time for that shoveling crew to move to the sidewalks?












Thank goodness we had a stocked kitchen...as our snow-filled days turned into food-filled nights. We made a killer lentil soup one day and an epic miso (with tofu) soup the next day. Nothing better than soup (and wine) on a few cold days. Oh, speaking of wine...time for the wine story. Would you believe that we opened not one, but two, bad bottles of wine during the snowpocalypse? Thus, on the second night of snow-arama I cleaned the kitchen and Charlie elected to schlep through the ice-filled evening with a backpack strapped to his spine and a thirst for more red wine. After a half-hour of treacherous ice walking, he arrived home with a big smile on his face and two new bottles of wine from the 5-points bottle shop. These are the stories we will remember from the brilliant three days of snowdiggity.

Snow Day #2: Desegregation and More Ice!

Campus closed, day two! The snow could not have come during a more important campus event...the celebration of 50 years of UGA desegregation. Fifty years ago on January 9, 1961 two courageous students walked on this campus as the first African-American students to be admitted to UGA. Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmes were greeted with rioting students, tear gas, and a mandatory suspension (to ensure for their own safety).


Hunter-Gault is now a successful journalist for NPR and PBS and she came back to campus to speak during this celebration. While the snow kept many away, there were about 80 of us who braved the weather to see her passionately speak about her experiences and the current low rate of African-American students on campus (0nly 8% of the student body population are African-American). I had read her book, In My Place (an excellent read...will make you laugh, cry, and question the ignorance), in my History of Higher Education class last year, so I was very eager to meet the woman who had shared her life of bravery with so many of us. As she signed my book, I was speechless. What do you say to a woman that spent four years of her collegiate life on a hostile campus all in the name of civil rights and higher education? All I could say was, thank you. But, damn that was a heart-felt thank you. Thank you for braving the hostility. Thank you for challenging an elite and otherwise prejudiced system. Thank you for allowing other students of color to stand on your shoulders. Thank you for sharing your story and compassion with others. Thank you.




As we were walking back to Rutherford Hall, we stopped at the Quad where a group of students had spent the day building a very large snowman and a massive fort. Awesome. This is what snow days are all about...

Yes, that is my car all snowed-in. Wishin' I would have packed that window scraper.

Snow Day #1: FIVE Inches of Snow and Ice!

On Saturday there were mad reports of the impending "winter storm", hence people headed to the grocery store, including me. You can only imagine how long the grocery store lines were; the bread and milk was sold out and people had their grocery carts full of pop tarts, coke, and microwavable dinners.

Campus officials wasted no time to close campus for the following day. We received an email that campus was closed tomorrow even before the snow started to fall. You see, there are benefits to living in a traditionally WARM region of the U.S., there are NO snow plows or snow removal equipment. Thus, when a big storm threatens the region, everything shuts down...even before the snow hits the earth. And, you receive the following messages in your email in-box:

Received 1/09/11 at 7:44 p.m. (before any snow had fallen)

The University of Georgia will be closed on Monday, January 10, 2011. Classes will not be held and offices will be closed. Personnel previously designated for weather emergencies will report.

Received 1/10/11 at 12:40 p.m. (after 5 inches had fallen and iced over)
The University of Georgia main campus at Athens will be closed because of inclement weather on Tuesday, January 11, 2011.

Received 1/11/11 at 11:o4 a.m. (ice, ice, baby)
The University of Georgia main campus at Athens will be closed on Wednesday, January 12. Classes will not be held and offices will be closed.

Received 1/12/11 at 1:50 p.m. (more slip, sliding away...)
The University of Georgia will have a delayed opening on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011 at 11 a.m.

Being from Colorado, this is all very strange for me, but I am not complaining. Five inches of snow turned into, not one, not two, but THREE snow days (they should have called them "ice" days) with no school or work. Okay, so I am not really taking classes this semester (because I am done with that part of the PhD adventure, remember?), but I am sitting in on a few classes (yes, I am officially a nerd). Plus, I have to work. Thus, three days off: blissful, especially when I can sit in my apartment and watch the students have tons of fun with the snow on Meyers quad (right outside my front door). The first night a massive snowball fight ensued with about 70 students, then the second day a large fort and snowman was built, and the third day resulted in a tackle "ice" football game and some red ice (ouch).

This winter adventure, despite the meager amounts of snow, was rather fun. We cooked excellent meals (and Charlie baked cookies...see photo), drank lots of wine, played cards, and even attended a few campus events (that had not been canceled)...see next post.

2011 Intentions

I guess if I post these, there is more accountability. Maybe. Let's see how this goes:
1.) Eat healthy
2.) Simplify! Reuse, Reduce, Recycle
3.) More LOVE & Compassion
4.) Dissertation goals:
-Defend prospectus and become a PhD "Candidate"
-Write 1-3 chapters by May
-Finish up all data collection by 2012
5.) More NATURE in my life
6.) Continue positive thoughts for EUROPE in 2011 (this is where I want to do my dissertation research)

Reflections on 2010

Even though New Year's Eve is becoming less of a party as I grow older, I still look forward to ringing in the New Year because of one simple thing: life reflections. After looking back at my 2008 and 2009 reflections, I have realized that in 2010 I have become a little more long-winded, as this blog post is much longer than previous reflections. Oh well, here goes:

-Trips to the "ATL" (Atlanta): To taste some big city flavor, and escape the little town charm (or isolation) of Athens, Charlie and I made many trips to the ATL this past year. Despite the lack of public transportation and backward politics, I have come to really enjoy Atlanta. For Valentine's day Charlie surprised me with tickets to the spectacular Broadway musical, Mamma Mia. In March we experienced the Oyster & Craw-fish Festival with live music and YES, we ate a lot of craw-fish. We even took a few day trips to cash in our Groupon coupons at Zagat-rated restaurants. During comps, I found myself studying in a coffee shop a few days in ATL. After comps, Charlie took me to see my favorite musician, Michael Franti, kick it at the historic Tabernacle. And, finally at Thanksgiving we spent a long weekend in Atlanta's metropolitan park, Piedmont Park.

-COLORADO: I not only racked up those sky miles with four trips to Colorado in 2010, but I also satiated my thirst for Colorado time. Charlie accompanied me on two of the trips and for the first time experienced the Weimer mafia. That is big news, as it has been some time since I brought a man home to meet the entire family. All four trips were sweet and wonderful in special ways: spring break skiing, an academic conference in May, one of my dear friend's wedding, and of course the annual Weimer Christmas holiday. There is nothing better than time with family and friends who actually know, understand, and love the depths of my passions, quirks, and convictions.

-Believe it! The PhD Adventure Continues: Honestly, there have been many moments over the past 2 years when I thought I would be a PhD drop-out, but 2010 gave me the strength, courage, and yearning to keep going. In May, I watched Charlie walk up to the podium as his name was called and accept his PhD. What an inspiration! Earlier in April, my committee gave me their blessing (that I was ready) to take the comprehensive exams. In the hot and steamy bowels of summer in Georgia, July and August, I sequestered myself in the comps cave and studied, studied, studied. Woohoo, I passed! Took one last PhD course: statistics. Woohoo, I passed! This fall I applied for three large dissertation funding grants. The fact that I am now using the word "dissertation" in my everyday language is rather surreal and so the adventure continues...

-International TRAVEL: Yep, I continue to dust off my travel shoes every year. This year I managed to travel 24,441 miles in less than two months. I spent 6 weeks in South Africa as a teaching assistant for a study abroad program, GlobalLEAD, wherein my father joined me for a week of travel to the vineyards in Stellenbosch and the Cape Peninsula. Then, I flew to Oslo for an academic conference, visited friends in Belgium, Paris, France and Alicante, Spain. An amazing trip loaded with more cultural education and time with dear friends.

-Other GOOD stuff: I continue to serve as the Graduate Fellow of the Franklin Residential College (FRC)...a good way to stay connected to the undergrads. During fall break, we chaperoned 30 FRC students to Sapelo Island off the coast of Georgia. In addition, I started a graduate assistantship position with the Office of International Education....a perfect job for me! And my boss is wonderful. I was also inducted into the international honor society, Phi Beta Delta, and I won the Harold Josephson Award for Professional Promise in International Education.

-Life (outside academia): Despite the fact that Charlie and I cannot wait until the day we pack our bags and leave Athens, we live a pretty sweet life in Athens. We joined the local farm share this summer and began a journey towards healthier eating with local, organic fruits and veggies. Yoga continues to be a sweet escape for me. This past year I not only taught yoga at the Rubbersoul studio, but I also graduated from the Rubbersoul Adventure Club. We also made a few trips North to enjoy and hike the Blue Ridge mountains.