Another Erasmus Mundus Association Meeting...in ROME!

Vatican, by night!

Antipasto...we are always well-fed at these meetings.

Earlier this year, I was asked to co-lead a working group on the "Future of EMA". The aim of the working group was to strategically discuss the future challenges/opportunities of our association, as there are some potential challenging implications of the EU proposing to streamline all educational programs under one umbrella. One scenario would be that all programs, including EMA, under this umbrella would lose their brand identity. So, one of my tasks at this meeting in Rome was to co-lead a presentation and discussion on our future. It went well and many great ideas came from it.

Yum! Gelato.

The meeting also became a forum for political posturing with the upcoming elections, which is not a strong suit of mine. I decided that I would be my authentic self and not get all political. Who knows if my strategy hurt or helped my campaign. Many EMA friends and colleagues were surprised when they found out I was with child. In fact, this led to some funny questions...one male friend asked, "How did that happen?" I responded, "Do you really want to know?" And, he embarrassingly tried to eat his words. Overall, though, I felt very supported by the community and no one seemed to think that me being pregnant would hurt my presidency nomination, although many said it would make it more challenging for me to actually win. Time will tell!  

Woohoo! I Made it Through Round ONE...

27-weeks prego and growing!

The EMA election results for round one are in and WOW...I made it to the final round--woohoo! ALL EMA members across the globe (there are approximately 8,000) had the opportunity to vote via an online voting process. Now, the hard part--convincing 200 active members at the annual assembly to vote for me in the final round even though I cannot be there in person to play the political game. Yep, that is right...I will be 8.5 months pregnant and not able to travel to Barcelona. The chances of me winning are slim, but it is worth a try.

Easter in Tampere: Spa Day!

Gettin' ready for the massage!

We decided to take a little Easter weekend escape to the bigger city of Tampere (150 kilos southwest). For our wedding, one of our friends in Tampere (who owns a local yoga studio) gave us a gift certificate to the local spa, Holiday Club. So, we made appointments for massages and spent the day in the pools and sauna. The next day we took a yoga class in English, as there was a visiting instructor from the U.K. (nothing better than melting into yoga in your native language--a rarity these days!) It was a lovely trip and so relaxing.

I am Officially D-O-N-E! Now onto a Post-Doc!

I just received an email from my dissertation supervisor, "I have reviewed document and think you have made all the necessary changes. Congratulations, and please go forward with this. You've done a very good job." 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! No more dissertation. It is really DONE! Words cannot do justice to how I feel. The topping on the cake? I also received word that I will get it published in Finland. Woohoo, it will not just sit on my shelf and gather dust...but it will also sit on other people's shelves and gather dust.

I think that this photo is very fitting for how I am feeling right now...I finally spanked the bulldog (the UGA mascot)!

27 weeks prego!

Other news...this past week I was offered a post doctoral research position at the University of Jyväskylä. Coming from the U.S. perspective, I think it is pretty incredible that they offered me the position, especially considering I will be on maternity leave for nine months beginning May 22. I am super excited, though, and looking forward to having a real job with benefits, salary, and all (it has been awhile!) Start date: April 15!
 

Northern Lights & Glucose Test

Last night, after eating a delicious eggplant curry for dinner, I checked Facebook and saw that the Foreigners in JYVÄSKYLÄ group was blowing up with reports of northern lights dancing in the sky. It was cold (-12c/10f), so we bundled up  and headed (quickly) to the lake. As soon as we reached the lake magnificent rays of light danced in the sky. My photos did not

do any justice to the beauty waltzing above us and soon enough the rays of light disappeared into the darkness of the night. With frozen fingers (from snapping photos) we headed home. This is when I realized that it was also 10 p.m. and I had to start fasting at 9:40 p.m. for the dreaded glucose test the following day (to check for gestational diabetes). Ugh, so I slammed some hummus and carrots and a bowl of granola. (These days I am still waking up in the middle of the night with hunger pains, so 12 hours of fasting=BIG challenge.)   

The following morning, I woke up parched...but I was told not even to drink water. I got ready for the -19c/-2f weather and jumped on the bus headed to the central hospital. I arrived in the labotoria and took a number. In true Finnish style right on time at 9:40 a.m., my number appeared outside door #5. A young woman, who spoke good English, took my blood and then poured the glucose sugary substance in a plastic cup for me and I chugged it like jungle juice. Disgusting taste, but it felt so good to have liquid in my desert-dry mouth. Then, I was sent out to the waiting room for one hour before another blood test. Ugh, one hour to wait..and I was already starving. Luckily, there was a bad English soap opera playing in the waiting room (Days of Our Lives) to help pass the time as my little, 25-week old, lady danced in my pregnant belly--woohoo sugar high! 10:45 a.m. finally came and my number appeared on door #5--blood test taken. But, it wasn't over yet...I had to wait another hour for another blood test. Now, this hour was agonizing. My blood-sugar had dropped and I felt so tired and ill. The little lady was fast asleep in my belly while other babies in the lab were screaming their lungs out after receiving vaccinations. The TV now played a British soap opera as I painfully waited out every long minute. That last hour felt like five hours. Finally--the last blood draw and I hurried to the hospital cafeteria for lunch.

The good news is that we finally got to experience the Northern Lights and I do not have gestational diabetes!

Happy Graduation!

Since I will not be walking in the May graduation ceremony in Georgia, Charlie threw a graduation party in my honor. We had a house full of 20 of our friends from around the world (Finland, Canada, Spain, Colombia, U.S., Poland, Greece, U.K., etc.) The invitation asked people to wear a fun hat, bring a food item to share, and forgo gift-giving. This was much more my style than the pomp and circumstance that beckons a big American research university graduation ceremony. We ate a lot of great food (including a delicious carrot cake from a local bakery), the alcohol was flowing (for some), and the party concluded in the wee hours of the morning. I just love when we bring all of our internationally-minded friends together...it made for a memorable evening with lots of laughs and good conversations.

My plan was to have all of my dissertation revisions (only five minor revisions) done by the party, but it is has been very challenging to get back into it. The (revised) plan is to send it to Sheila on Monday...almost done.

Throwing My Name in the Hat...

For the past six years I have

Sink or swim...I am throwing my name in!

been involved in the Erasmus Mundus Student and Alumni Association (EMA). This is the association linked to the European masters degree and EU scholarship I received. For all of the American readers, it is European's parallel program to the Fulbright program. Elections are coming up and after many deep discussions with my EMA colleagues and friends and Charlie I have decided to throw my name in for President. It is a BIG job, but it is the next step and I am confident I can manage it with the new addition to our family. Plus, who knows if I even stand a chance...I must admit that I am very curious to see how being pregnant impacts people's response to my candidacy. In many places around the world, pregnancy is seen as a disability to professional ambitions, etc.

The belly popping at 23-weeks!

But, I also have a sneaking suspicion that the EMA community is different and more progressive in its views towards family obligations and professional endeavors, as many of us were changed (we became more open minded) during our Erasmus Mundus experience.

I am going for it! The deadline to apply is today and first round voting begins Wednesday. Wish me luck!

Kindness & Baby Gear

"These items were packed with love"...the note enclosed in a package of baby goodies and Girl Scout cookies from my mother.

As of late we have collected a lot of baby gear from friends and family. We received a big package of love and baby items from the U.S. that my mother sent our way, including girl scout cookies. Nothing spells L-O-V-E like girl scout cookies from the U.S. (we are savoring every bite and no worries the thin mints are in the freezer waiting for our next bite!) We also received a bunch of baby gear (clothes, bottles, high chair, baby chair, breast pump, etc.) from some of our friends here in Jyväskylä who recently had babies. There is something incredible about the mama community where not only wisdom and advice is shared, but also baby clothes and other necessities. Thank you all, for your kindness.

Moon Skiing on Lake

In Finnish they call it "kuutamohiihto" and it is a moonlight (full moon weekend) ski event on lakes Jyväsjärvi and Päijänne. Mama Anne (our Finnish adopted mom) invited us to the event and even provided skis for us to use. For 6 euros we could ski the candle lit trails, stop in at the local bonfires and roast a sausage (very Finnish), and enjoy a little Friday night work-out. The evening started with a mis-adventure as Charlie's ski boot (Anne's husband's ski boot from about 20 years ago) blew out. Luckily we were not on the lake yet, so instead Charlie walked on the lake with the ski poles (they call this Nordic walking here) as we skied our little hearts out. Being 21 weeks pregnant, I felt great (although I did lose my balance not once, but twice and took one really epic fall on my bum). I gotta say this was an awesome way to spend the evening under the moonlit and starry night. The views of the city and bridge from the lake was stunning! Sign me up for next year!

A Parisian Birthday Gift!

Since we are both celebrating BIG birthdays this year I wanted to take Charlie somewhere in this world that is unforgettable and a place he had never visited. Paris! At first, I was going to keep it a secret until we arrived at the airport, but instead I enclosed the airline tickets in his Christmas card. The trip was amazing, despite a massively wet snowstorm that we endured our last day. We toured the city mostly by feet (such an incredible city to walk your way through). Our palettes were satiated with delicious food, our favorite being Cafe Pinson--a Parisian vegetarian cafe. But,the Zagat-rated falafel we experienced at L'As Du Fallafel was a close second. Of course we also delighted in a few crepes along the way. Breakfast was enjoyed every morning in true Parisian style as we visited Eric Kayser boulangerie for the freshest baguette and pan au chocolat, located literally one block from where we were staying in the St. Germain district. Our little apartment was the perfect home-base for all of our adventures, I booked a flat on Air BnB.  The three days melted away as we had a picnic under the Eiffel Tower, climbed the steps to Sacre-Coeur for a view from the highest point in the city, and drank Starbucks (as a way to use the bathroom--oh the joys of traveling with a 20-week pregnant women) outside the Moulin Rouge. We also fought the crowds at the Louvre to view the Mona Lisa. When flying back to Finland Charlie described it as the "best birthday ever!"

Happy Birthday, Superhubby!

One of the great things about having Charlie in my life is that he gets to try on a new age three and a half months before I do. Despite sharing the same birth year, he carries the "older" man card (ha ha, he robbed the cradle!) This birthday was one of those BIG decade celebrations which called for a special evening, just the two of us.  He opted for a quiet night in to celebrate his newly found middle-age and we cooked a yummy dinner together. I baked a chocolate cake (to die for) and we just relaxed in true middle-age style.

An Afternoon Ski...

Today, we went skiing/walking on the lake with Anne, our adopted Finnish mama. I borrowed Julia's (Anne's daughter) skis and Charlie walked around the lake with Nordic walking poles and the camera. It felt so good to get my body moving and be outside with other active Finns. The Finns love their winter sports and weather does not stop them from playing on the lakes in the middle of winter.

Reflections on 2012

Wow, where do I even begin...this year has been an abundance of extremes: a lot of positive vibes and a few stressful events as well. Every year since beginning this blog I have written annual reflections and I have to say that this year is on of the most memorable because of three major life-changing events:


1.) Marriage: April 20 was the magical day where we said, "I do" and joined together in blissful union. I feel blessed to have met and married such an incredible, kind, and compassionate man. 2012 pretty much sealed the deal on our relationship as we lived together (officially) for the first time in a tiny European apartment (and we did not kill each other). Charlie's proposal in the Finnish sauna continues to be an entertaining story and cherished memory. We had the great pleasure of celebrating our union not once, but three times...in Finland, Colorado, and Ohio.

2.) Pregnancy: In October we discovered that Charlie's swimmers won the race. Pure joy! I never really knew if I would bear children and now it is a reality. Although, the first trimester was H-E-L-L with morning sickness and dissertation cramming, we both acknowledged the miracle that was growing in my body.

3.) Completing (dumping) my dissertation: No words can explain how great it feels to have this monkey off of my back (finally!) The highlight of my dissertation experience was unequivocally the Fulbright adventure in Finland and conducting the interviews (I loved talking to people and getting their perspective on such a divisive and culturally sensitive issue). It was a rough ride in the final push, especially in November--the darkest month in Finland and the peak of my morning sickness, but I put it to rest! No sense in discussing this anymore...onto the next chapter in this book called LOVE & LIFE.

Of course, this year's reflection would not be complete without highlighting the travel too...Denmark (Erasmus Mundus conference), Serbia (academic conference), Greece (pure pleasure!), Estonia (a romantic weekend), Czech Republic (Erasmus Mundus meeting), Denmark (meeting Charlie's relatives), Latvia (honeymoon with my parents), Brussels (Erasmus Mundus meeting), Berlin (Fulbright meeting), Arctic Circle (Fulbright trip), and Italy (travel with my sister and bro-in-law). Wow, those travelin' shoes put on a lot of miles!

Back to a (NEW) Reality!

Superhubby and I flew back across the Atlantic Ocean and made our way home. Home to Finland, where we have no car (thank goodness!), we bike or walk everywhere (so nice!), the air is fresh, the nature is in our backyard, and life is simplistically peaceful. While the past 50 days have been incredibly wonderful, they were also quite intense and rather stressful (especially during the 2-week full court press to get my dissertation completed). We arrived home yesterday and I began the journey of settling back into a new existence--without dissertation writing everyday, without morning sickness, and without impending darkness (snow now illuminates the dark winter and we are now gaining precious daylight everyday!)

A Moment of Truth: The Dissertation Defense

Monday came only too soon and I rallied at 5 a.m. when my mind (and nerves) woke me up. My defense was scheduled for 10 a.m. and I had to make sure we had proper Skype connection with one of the professors in Oslo, so I planned to arrive at 9 a.m. I stopped at my favorite Athens coffee shop and relaxed there, going over my presentation, as I sipped rooibois tea and snacked on a vegetarian breakfast burrito. I walked to campus and worked with the IT dude to connect the professor in Oslo...which was more problematic than expected, but we managed to come to a working (but not optimal) solution. Finally, the other three professors filed in and before I knew it I was on the HOT seat. My major professor explained the defense process to me and then asked me to leave the room:

1.) They ask me to leave the room and discuss between them if there were any major concerns or gaps.
2.) If not, then they invite me back in and ask me to make a 15-minute presentation covering the findings, key discoveries, challenges, and future pursuits.
3.) Each professor then asks me questions and gives me feedback on the work.
4.) They ask me to leave the room again and discuss if I passed and what revisions (if any) I need to make.
5.) If all is good, then I sign paperwork and jump up and down and scream my head off with pure joy and liberation!

The famous "arch" on campus!

By this time, my nerves had turned into adrenalin...and I was ready to kick some ass. They invited me back and said there were no major concerns or problems and I began my presentation. The Q&A with the professors was more like a discussion. I did not feel stumped or put on the spot at any moment, in fact it was great to talk in depth about my lover that I had been working with for the past two years...that I was about to DUMP! All of the questions and suggested revisions were fair and reasonable. After about one hour of Q&As they asked me to step out of the room and before I knew it I was walking back into a room full of congratulations! Woohoo! We signed the paperwork, which felt all too surreal and I did everything I could to stop myself from busting into my favorite dance move, "Drop that Ass...". Charlie was waiting for me outside the room and I melted into his arms with a true feeling of liberation. See ya later, DISS!

We celebrated by eating pizza (of which I had been craving). Later, and after a much needed nap, we met up with our Athens friends (the Brazilians, Mallory, our Latino dudes, and a few PhD colleagues) at a local watering hole, the Globe. It was a perfectly intimate way to celebrate a long 4.5 years of my life.