its time for that annual wager. when will the snow banks melt completely?? This year is different from last year because we've had over 4x as much snow as last year (we had 16 inches last year - we now have had about 60). Here is one thing to consider -- after our most recent "snow event" today, the snow banks at work at taller than me. Pictures to follow. I will try to take one when I leave today. Oh yah, I guess Im posting from work. dont tell anyone :)
Put your guesses here. A cool prize to the winner. Maybe something from India since I can only look longingly at the pictures scott posted where its in the 80s...
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Temple Visits
Here's some pictures from our trip to Thanjavur and Trichy. We visited a temple and a maharajah's palace in Thanjavur and the largest active temple in Asia in Trichy.
On the way, we stopped at a roadside roasted-cashew stand. An undergrad student back at Columbia was from this area, and his family exported cashews (which explains why he could afford Columbia!) This was a decidedly lower-scale operation. I think I had never seen a lamb before, because I was surprise how small they were. Cute, huh?
The temple elephant (again). He's there to collect donations with his trunk.
This a view of the main temple at Thanjavur. It was built in 1010 by the chola kings. Everybody goes shoeless inside the temple, and we were able to see the shrine inside but not take pictures. The man in the foreground was our driver for the day.
I visited these sights with Dr. Bernd Speiser (left) and Dr. R. Chandrasekaran (right) They are standing at the entrance to the Thanjavur Royal Palace.
A detail of a beautiful mural at the palace.
The truck in front of us urged our driver to honk his horn. He obliged frequently.
A group of ladies at the Trichy temple. Many women wear these very colorful outfits every day.
On the way, we stopped at a roadside roasted-cashew stand. An undergrad student back at Columbia was from this area, and his family exported cashews (which explains why he could afford Columbia!) This was a decidedly lower-scale operation. I think I had never seen a lamb before, because I was surprise how small they were. Cute, huh?
The temple elephant (again). He's there to collect donations with his trunk. 
This a view of the main temple at Thanjavur. It was built in 1010 by the chola kings. Everybody goes shoeless inside the temple, and we were able to see the shrine inside but not take pictures. The man in the foreground was our driver for the day.
I visited these sights with Dr. Bernd Speiser (left) and Dr. R. Chandrasekaran (right) They are standing at the entrance to the Thanjavur Royal Palace.
A detail of a beautiful mural at the palace.
The truck in front of us urged our driver to honk his horn. He obliged frequently.
A group of ladies at the Trichy temple. Many women wear these very colorful outfits every day.
This is a newer temple at Trichy (finished in 1987). It's the tallest temple tower in all of Asia. In the forground you can see the temple market, where you can buy (in principle) almost anything.
Let's try another movie of activity in the market:
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Pictures from Chennai
Finally some pictures from Chennai. These are all from Wed-Fri. Yesterday I went to see some temples and I'll post some of those pics tonight!
These are my hosts at CECRI Chennai, Dr. Sridhar and Dr. Pitchumani, and me standing next to a bank of fluorescent lights powered by their 1 kW fuel cell in the foreground. It was a cool demonstration. I wouldn't normally wear a tshirt on a visit like this, but if you have been reading you know why.
This is airport security in Mumbai, on arrival in India. I felt right at home except that Indians stand in line differenly than Americans. They don't seem to mind being 1 mm from each other. I had an old guy behind me breathing on my neck, and I didn't like it.
An autorickshaw driver outside of IIT Madras
I'm standing on the "sidewalk" on Sardar Patel Road, outside of IIT Madras. This is my new shirt and pants, courtesy of Air India.
My host Dr. Pitchumani, me, and Mr. Venkatesan, who met me at the airport and ferried me all over the place by car. He made the visit to Chennai very easy.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
science museum
Friday, February 22, 2008
girls day out
this one is for you! :)
WOW
Frankie has graduated from toddlerhood! She has gone 3 days with no diapers all day long, and that includes to school!! With no accidents! It all started tuesday night when she went pee in her diaper and cried that she did so. So, we took off the diaper and never looked back. (Well, this has been in the workings for a few months now... but still, we made the big move to no diapers at school and what is so sweet is how proud frankie is of herself!).
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Chennai, Day Two
This morning I went with Mr. Venkatesan back to the airport to check on my bag. They had expected in, but it did not arrive. I was told the bag was in Mumbai and had missed the 3 am connection to Chennai (same flight that I had taken the day before). Now they are saying this morning for sure..
In the meantime Mr. Venkatesan assisted me in buying a smart new outfit so that I wouldn't have to wear at tshirt and jeans on my visit to IIT Madras. I'ts a nice deep yellow shirt with a Grey tweed pair of pants. Angie, you'll love it!
My hosts at IIT were extremely gracious. I basically had invited myself, but they spend most of the afternoon with me and took me out to dinner last night. Most of these folks have Ph.D. degrees from Canada or the US, and enjoyed talking about the US and comparing it to India. Very enlightning conversations.
We had dinner at a rooftop restaurant at a facy hotel that I could not afford to stay in. The reason is that these type of restaurants are the only places to get beer! We had a pitcher among the four of us and sampled excellent food. I had the absolute best palak paneer I ever had. And the view was spectacular. Maybe the best part is that I finally got a chance to ride the autorickshaws that I've been seeing so many of. That's the local form of taxi, and is not for the faint of heart!
I was invited to stay over at one professor's home who has internet access, which is why I can post now (Thanks Nikkit!) We'll see when I get my next opportunity.
In the meantime Mr. Venkatesan assisted me in buying a smart new outfit so that I wouldn't have to wear at tshirt and jeans on my visit to IIT Madras. I'ts a nice deep yellow shirt with a Grey tweed pair of pants. Angie, you'll love it!
My hosts at IIT were extremely gracious. I basically had invited myself, but they spend most of the afternoon with me and took me out to dinner last night. Most of these folks have Ph.D. degrees from Canada or the US, and enjoyed talking about the US and comparing it to India. Very enlightning conversations.
We had dinner at a rooftop restaurant at a facy hotel that I could not afford to stay in. The reason is that these type of restaurants are the only places to get beer! We had a pitcher among the four of us and sampled excellent food. I had the absolute best palak paneer I ever had. And the view was spectacular. Maybe the best part is that I finally got a chance to ride the autorickshaws that I've been seeing so many of. That's the local form of taxi, and is not for the faint of heart!
I was invited to stay over at one professor's home who has internet access, which is why I can post now (Thanks Nikkit!) We'll see when I get my next opportunity.
First Post from India....
I'm posting this a day after I wrote it. Internet access is super spotty!....
I made it to Chennai at 5 am on Wednesday, safe and sound. Unfortunately my suitcase did not. So here it is Thursday morning, and I've spend the last 48 hours in the same clothes. Luckily I had everything I really need in my backpack, and folks here dress casually, so it has not been big deal yet that I'm wandering around in a black t-shirt. I had a good day yesterday anyway, talking fuel cells and such with my hosts. They must have enjoyed it because they've already invited me back next January.
I'm visiting the Central Electrochemical Research Institute in Chennai, where they are growing a domestic fuel cell industry. So is the US of course, and it isn't easy, but folks here seem to have a good idea of what they need to do, and they're quite creative, so who knows?
Chennai is a little crazy, but very colorful. There are a million scooters and little autorickshaws which are used as taxis. Honking the horn is a popular passtime.
This morning I'm going to the airport to get an answer on my bags, and then I'll probably get some clothes. This afternoon I go to Chemical Engineering department at IIT Madras, and tomorrow through Sunday I'm off for travel and sightseeing. I hope to have some pictures very soon.
I made it to Chennai at 5 am on Wednesday, safe and sound. Unfortunately my suitcase did not. So here it is Thursday morning, and I've spend the last 48 hours in the same clothes. Luckily I had everything I really need in my backpack, and folks here dress casually, so it has not been big deal yet that I'm wandering around in a black t-shirt. I had a good day yesterday anyway, talking fuel cells and such with my hosts. They must have enjoyed it because they've already invited me back next January.
I'm visiting the Central Electrochemical Research Institute in Chennai, where they are growing a domestic fuel cell industry. So is the US of course, and it isn't easy, but folks here seem to have a good idea of what they need to do, and they're quite creative, so who knows?
Chennai is a little crazy, but very colorful. There are a million scooters and little autorickshaws which are used as taxis. Honking the horn is a popular passtime.
This morning I'm going to the airport to get an answer on my bags, and then I'll probably get some clothes. This afternoon I go to Chemical Engineering department at IIT Madras, and tomorrow through Sunday I'm off for travel and sightseeing. I hope to have some pictures very soon.
lunar eclipse is most beautiful....
....when its 4 degrees below zero. that is the conclusion I came to
last night standing in the frigid snow with the dogs as we watched
the eclipse about 10 last night. Lets just say we didnt watch it for
too long, and monitored it's progression from the bedroom window. I
did take 1 picture with my phone but it did not turn out that great
so we will forgo sharing that picture. Lets say I was tempted to eat
spaghetti for breakfast this morning, but resisted.
last night standing in the frigid snow with the dogs as we watched
the eclipse about 10 last night. Lets just say we didnt watch it for
too long, and monitored it's progression from the bedroom window. I
did take 1 picture with my phone but it did not turn out that great
so we will forgo sharing that picture. Lets say I was tempted to eat
spaghetti for breakfast this morning, but resisted.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
snowlady
loving the snow! Frankie kept rubbing snow on her coat and when i
asked her what she was doing she said "Im making myself into a
snowlady!" How smart! We're patiently waiting for scott to post some
pictures from India! And, we're still eating from the vat of
spaghetti. Tonight we had roasted vegatables and bit more spinach. I
think tomorrow Im going to have it with plain sauce or maybe take out
from San Su for some good sushi. Haven't quite decided.
I cant wait to watch the lunar eclipse tonight. its a brillant but
cold night so it should be a great view (I hope!). We went to the
bookstore after school and when we were driving home we saw one of
the "harvest" moons on the horizon, as large as beach ball Bee said.
I tried to take a picture with my phone but it didnt quite turn out.
Monday, February 18, 2008
themes on spaghetti
So scott left for his trip to India today and Bee and I decided it
would be a blast to make a pot load of spaghetti and eat it every
night in different ways until its gone! So, Bee and Frankie had
spaghetti with ricotta cheese, while I had it mixed with fresh
spinach and a little bit of fresh parmigiano direct from Italy
(complements of our neighbors). Poor Scott's first flight was
delayed by 2 hours out of Lansing due to...... you guessed it....
SNOW! No surprise there. So, British Airways rebooked him on India
air via Frankfurt and god willing he will get there Wednesday
morning. Now, the girls and I had some fun in the airport during his
delay. They weighed themselves and frankie was just downright crazy.
Now, Scott promises to update everyday on his trip so check here on
that and I promise to check in on our variations on spaghetti!!
would be a blast to make a pot load of spaghetti and eat it every
night in different ways until its gone! So, Bee and Frankie had
spaghetti with ricotta cheese, while I had it mixed with fresh
spinach and a little bit of fresh parmigiano direct from Italy
(complements of our neighbors). Poor Scott's first flight was
delayed by 2 hours out of Lansing due to...... you guessed it....
SNOW! No surprise there. So, British Airways rebooked him on India
air via Frankfurt and god willing he will get there Wednesday
morning. Now, the girls and I had some fun in the airport during his
delay. They weighed themselves and frankie was just downright crazy.
Now, Scott promises to update everyday on his trip so check here on
that and I promise to check in on our variations on spaghetti!!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
books and tags
Well, I promised a few weeks ago to report on the books I have been reading. Sorry if this boring. I really just wanted to record the books Ive read to keep track. I do love to read for about 30 minutes before bed every night, to escape and relax before nodding off to sleep. I generally read about 2 or 3 books a month.
I started off the year with alexander mccall smith's 44 scotland street. I had originally gotten that for scott to read since, well, he is scottish. But I snuck it from his side of the bed and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had only been to Edinburgh once but I felt like I could at least picture some of the scenes. It was a fun read if you like to read a story about the strange ways in which lives intersect, and to feel the pain and enjoyment of the characters idiosyncrasies.
The next book I read was the Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell. My mom gave me this for christmas, as she knows I love a good mystery! I think I have read all of Cornwell's books and this one was just as good as the rest. A nice mix of humor, suspense, and strong female lead! Then I read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, a christmas gift from MIL. Excellent. But I have to say that along with that christmas gift was a box of bon bons to eat while reading.... besides the fact that they were eaten long before I started on the book, I think a box of tissues would have been more appropriate. Lets just say I had to sleep in tear covered pillows a few nights. Im now just finishing The Overlook by Michael Connelly. I bought this one at the airport the other day. Now, I am onto Garden of water by Alan Drew. Scott checked it from the library for me yesterday. I will report on that one next week.
In the mean time since i have been tagged by SIL colleen, I think I have to go to page 123 of the book that is closest to me at this exact moment and give you the 5th sentence (and then the 6th and 7th). So, lets just say Im sitting in the parlor and on the side table are about 30 kids books, and none have 123 pages... so we also happen to have the recent issue of the New Yorker sitting here on the table, and so here goes page 123. Its in the middle of a piece I loved called "Letter from Poland: True Crime. A postmodern murder mystery."
"Whoever was behind the abduction, Wroblewski thought, had been extremely organized and schrewd. The mastermind --Wroblewski assumed it was a man, based on the caller's voice -- must have studied Janiszewski's business routine and known how to lure him out of his office and, possibily, into a car. Wroblewski pored over the materials, trying to find something more yet he remained stymied." I hope that left you in suspense!! I guess Im supposed to tag someone now, so Purvi, its all you sweetie!
I started off the year with alexander mccall smith's 44 scotland street. I had originally gotten that for scott to read since, well, he is scottish. But I snuck it from his side of the bed and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had only been to Edinburgh once but I felt like I could at least picture some of the scenes. It was a fun read if you like to read a story about the strange ways in which lives intersect, and to feel the pain and enjoyment of the characters idiosyncrasies.
The next book I read was the Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell. My mom gave me this for christmas, as she knows I love a good mystery! I think I have read all of Cornwell's books and this one was just as good as the rest. A nice mix of humor, suspense, and strong female lead! Then I read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, a christmas gift from MIL. Excellent. But I have to say that along with that christmas gift was a box of bon bons to eat while reading.... besides the fact that they were eaten long before I started on the book, I think a box of tissues would have been more appropriate. Lets just say I had to sleep in tear covered pillows a few nights. Im now just finishing The Overlook by Michael Connelly. I bought this one at the airport the other day. Now, I am onto Garden of water by Alan Drew. Scott checked it from the library for me yesterday. I will report on that one next week.
In the mean time since i have been tagged by SIL colleen, I think I have to go to page 123 of the book that is closest to me at this exact moment and give you the 5th sentence (and then the 6th and 7th). So, lets just say Im sitting in the parlor and on the side table are about 30 kids books, and none have 123 pages... so we also happen to have the recent issue of the New Yorker sitting here on the table, and so here goes page 123. Its in the middle of a piece I loved called "Letter from Poland: True Crime. A postmodern murder mystery."
"Whoever was behind the abduction, Wroblewski thought, had been extremely organized and schrewd. The mastermind --Wroblewski assumed it was a man, based on the caller's voice -- must have studied Janiszewski's business routine and known how to lure him out of his office and, possibily, into a car. Wroblewski pored over the materials, trying to find something more yet he remained stymied." I hope that left you in suspense!! I guess Im supposed to tag someone now, so Purvi, its all you sweetie!
Happy Birthday Scott!
blizzard today... but here is a fond memory that is sort of blizzardy!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
its almost noon, and the temp is 0F, with a windchill of -23F.... but
I will say this: At 7 this morning, you could see the sun on the
horizon (rather than, say 8am). I like to measure the end of winter
by the sunrise, so despite the cold temps, spring is around the
corner!!
I will say this: At 7 this morning, you could see the sun on the
horizon (rather than, say 8am). I like to measure the end of winter
by the sunrise, so despite the cold temps, spring is around the
corner!!
Saturday, February 09, 2008
the republic of....
snow castle - the chariot bike trailor flag. Yesterday was beautiful
- partly sunny, a warm 31, and with 10 inches of packing snow, how
could you not make a snow castle? Our goal was to make it as tall as
Bee. Good thing she is only 3 and a half feet tall or I might have
frozen my feet and hands off! Tomorrow is the arctic apocalypse, with
a high of 4 and windchills about 20 below. A good day to curl up on
the couch with some good books and hot chocolate.
Well, we were reminiscing about the crabbies today... I wonder how
they are doing? they are coming up to the first b-day!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
anyone want some snow?
So i read yesterday that the average snowfall for the mid michigan
region is 30 inches a year. Yesterday we were at 41, and then we got
10 more, making 51. The girls love it! Its past their knees! The
only problem with that is that I was in Philly trying to get home,
and scott was home trying to get to st. louis and we had a carefully
orchestrated schedule for making sure the girls were cared for. Lets
just say I got home at 12:45 this morning, and scott finally was able
to leave at 3 this morning. You know, its never fun when the pilot
says "well folks, its going to be a rough flight so flight attendants
will be seated throughout".
region is 30 inches a year. Yesterday we were at 41, and then we got
10 more, making 51. The girls love it! Its past their knees! The
only problem with that is that I was in Philly trying to get home,
and scott was home trying to get to st. louis and we had a carefully
orchestrated schedule for making sure the girls were cared for. Lets
just say I got home at 12:45 this morning, and scott finally was able
to leave at 3 this morning. You know, its never fun when the pilot
says "well folks, its going to be a rough flight so flight attendants
will be seated throughout".
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Super Tuesday is here...
What are your predictions???????????
I have to say Im a bit jealous of everyone whose vote COUNTS! Now I agree that the primary system needs an overhaul and understand the fight MI wants to have, but still in the most exciting primary season ever (in my lifetime) my vote had to go to "uncommitted." Ah, well, there is still the general election. OK, post your predictions here....
What do I predict? Obama takes California, plus 10 other states and comes out with the big MO.... As for the GOP? I dunno. I guess McCain will take the cake, but Im betting on a surprise Romney upset in CA.
Fired up! Ready to Go!
In other news, I decided that since I read so many books at night and promptly forget about them I might post on each book when I finish it. Maybe that will be my new years resolution. That means look for 2 book updates in the next couple of days before their content gets buried too deep in my gray matter.
I have to say Im a bit jealous of everyone whose vote COUNTS! Now I agree that the primary system needs an overhaul and understand the fight MI wants to have, but still in the most exciting primary season ever (in my lifetime) my vote had to go to "uncommitted." Ah, well, there is still the general election. OK, post your predictions here....
What do I predict? Obama takes California, plus 10 other states and comes out with the big MO.... As for the GOP? I dunno. I guess McCain will take the cake, but Im betting on a surprise Romney upset in CA.
Fired up! Ready to Go!
In other news, I decided that since I read so many books at night and promptly forget about them I might post on each book when I finish it. Maybe that will be my new years resolution. That means look for 2 book updates in the next couple of days before their content gets buried too deep in my gray matter.
