The Adventures of Stephanie

Browsing Archive: June, 2011

it's up!

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Thursday, June 30, 2011,
The website is up!  Check it out here!

Tonight we are going to dinner at an African restaurant.  It should be really good!

Tomorrow is the astronomy department barbeque and picnic and I have been invited to play on a soccer team for a little tournament they're having.

Met some people from Ohio today at lunch.  Me, loving to talk to people, saw that one of the students was wearing a North Central College shirt.  Not that I'm a fan of theirs, as I am a Carthaginian, I still thought, 'what a small ...
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an asteroid, surprise party and canoe-polo?

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Tuesday, June 28, 2011,
I forgot to remind you all about the asteroid that came closer to the surface of the Earth than our gps satellites.  This guy did some pretty cool simulations too - highly recommend checking them out.

Sorry again for my delay!

Tuesday was supposed to be full of thunder and lightning storms but instead it was wretched hot.  It seemed almost impossible to get out of the heat too.  Tiffany was having her masters thesis defense (which isn't a guest event) so we waiting outside of the room to hear t...
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beach + scandinavian = sunburn

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Monday, June 27, 2011,
Today we started working in the morning... then ate lunch outside... then realized that being around 80 degrees, it was much to nice to be inside.  Maya and I then ventured to the beach and decided we could work more later.  It only takes about 40 minutes by bike to get to the North Sea and the beaches are really nice.  There's lots of shells too!

We got there pretty much without a problem but my bike decided to start falling apart.  It's an old squeaky bike but gets me where I'm going and has...
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no peanut sauce please!

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Sunday, June 26, 2011,
Oh my goodness, this weekend has been a blast!  Where do I start?!

I'll be brief and then add more tomorrow during the day -- sorry to keep any readers waiting since it's been a few days since I've posted anything!

Friday the website did not get launched.  Sorry if you've been waiting patiently.  It is for the good though because it should all be done right and there were still a few glitches.  Anyhow, it should be done for Tuesday, but of course I will keep you posted.

We only worked until noon...
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the life of being a scientist

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Thursday, June 23, 2011,
Today we worked like crazy on the site and getting things ready for the launch.  Tomorrow morning it will be decided if we will go 'live' tomorrow or next week.  I'll keep you posted. :)

The Big Bang Theory was on TV today.  It was awesome.  I don't spend too much of my time here watching TV because I don't want to waste a minute enjoying Europe, but I couldn't help it.

Funny event of the day: Being Thursday, there is free coffee at the 10:30-11:15 coffee break, so we had no need to go to other...
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busy bees

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Wednesday, June 22, 2011,
Today we've been working on preparing for the launch of the new UNAWE website - THIS Friday!  There's still much to be done but I think it will be a lot more user friendly.  

Since it was Wednesday, Maya and I went to the market to get stroopwafels.  We got back just in time because it started raining (again).  We decided not to go kayaking tonight because of the weather.  It's also been very windy.

After work we went to the super market, and Marissa helped us find speculoos - only a few jars l...
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it's SUMMER!

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Tuesday, June 21, 2011,
Today Maya and I went for free coffee from the 3rd floor lounge - the best free coffee I think I've ever had.  It was a bit sketchy and I think we both felt guilty taking it.  Two other women came in the lounge and I'm pretty sure they were wondering who we were... Whoops!

Today is the official day of summer - and longest day of sunlight.  Tonight Maya's ultimate frisbee team is practicing at the beach (which is about a 45 minute bike ride) for preparation for a beach tournament they have comi...
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not all nutella is created equal.

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Monday, June 20, 2011,
I think I've been judged - getting free coffee from the Cell Laboratory.  I went to get coffee for Maya and I and being that I just got coffee and left, I think some of the people sitting there have figured out my motives.  As much as I'm ashamed, my ultimate response is - I'm a college student!  Fortunately, on my walk back to my office, there was a guy walking in the same direction and kindly opened all the doors for me since they were 'pull' and not 'push'.
 
After lunch today, we heard from...
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happy father's day!

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Saturday, June 18, 2011,
Happy Father's Day!

My dad rocks.  He likes rocks too and he's building/creating a rock garden.  A little odd maybe, but that is why I love him.  At least my dad never did this or I never agreed to this, but I would still love him too.
 
 
Make sure to take the time today to tell your dad 'Happy Father's Day'.
I know that I've been super lucky to have a family that supports me so much, even when some of my great ideas are out of this world - literally. :)

(I'm posting the above a little bit early, ...
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uno de enero...

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Thursday, June 16, 2011,
That is the beginning to the chant for San Fermin, the festival in Spain that you may know includes the running of the bulls.  Anyhow, I have a feeling that I should be there, given it begins July 6 with a lighting of a little rocket as an official start of the celebrations (called the Txupinazo).  DISCLAIMER: I do not plan on participating in the running of the bulls!  I guess we'll see what happens.

I forgot if I've mentioned it before or not, but I learned the other day that McDonald's has ...
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you really can beat the rain in leiden

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Thursday, June 16, 2011,
Today it has been rainy.  I was shown a new radar system that was suggested to me as probably the most useful website you can find (if you're in the Netherlands).  That way, if it's raining, you can tell what pocket of time will be best for heading out.  Since it was raining in the morning, Maya and I (intelligently) determined when to head out for work.

I am declaring us as very smart too.  Yesterday, we attended a brief science talk held in the cell laboratory building.  When passing through...
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did someone say NASA?

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Thursday, June 16, 2011,
Yesterday was Wednesday... the workday went by super fast.  In the evening, we were invited to join in a BBQ through the ISN (International Student Network).  It was really fun.  There's this place in Leiden called Einsteins where during the school year, every Wednesday is ISN night, and last night was the last of the year.  Anyhow, at the BBQ, we were sitting eating (delicious) food and it was great to say that I was recognizing faces.  - I'm totally loving Leiden -  Everyone is super friend...
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light... right, might, fight, kite...

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Monday, June 13, 2011,
So for dessert or a treat, they also have this stuff called 'vla' which is like Mexican flan, but without the 'n' in pronunciation.  They say it is like flan too, but it is not.  It is like liquid yogurt, or pudding.  It is good, but just funny when the first time I had it they told me it was like "flan"... It comes in all sorts of flavors too, vanilla, chocolate, and many fruits.

Yesterday we did a 'test run' of the board game by playing of course!  I think that there is some great progress g...
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koken or keuken, it still sounds the same to me!

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Sunday, June 12, 2011,
Yesterday we had a picnic in the park for Mattia and another's birthday.  It was super fun and we played frisbee and all of the food people brought was delicious!  I also ended up seeing a lot of familiar faces from the University buildings which was really nice.
 
 
(left to right - Marissa, Mattia, me, and Karen)

Today, Monday, was a public holiday (again) so we technically didn't have to work, but Maya has an ultimate frisbee tournament this coming weekend and I would like to have a long weeke...
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i love Greek food

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Friday, June 10, 2011,
So I have some recapping to do from Friday to today, Sunday...

Friday was a normal workday but like the free coffee days, on Friday, they have a 'borel'.  (that's probably spelt wrong).  Anyhow, it's like a sort of 'happy hour' where the whole department just gets together as a final cap to the work week.  

After work, we went to a talk by Sir Roger Penrose.  The talk was titled, "Are We Able to See Through the Big Bang, Into Another World?"

 

First, this guy is awesome because he used transparen...
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the asteroids galaxy tour! and free coffee

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Wednesday, June 8, 2011,
Oh my gosh! The Asteroids Galaxy Tour is coming to Amsterdam!!!! I want to go so bad!  Do the safety dance!

Free coffee galore!  It's crazy how many coffee breaks we take here throughout the day.  Every day at about 10:30-11:30, there is, I guess you could say, 'the' coffee break in the main lounge of the department.  One of the cool things is that every, EVERY, Thursday, the coffee is free.  I've heard that they do this to promote interaction between the department; it has indeed been a great...
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Brazil brought to you in Leiden

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Wednesday, June 8, 2011,
(two days of information for you!)

Yesterday we had the opportunity to watch an astronomy student defend here thesis and receive her PhD!  It was held in an old building of the university - and as someone told me, it actually is old, not just pretending to look like it's old.  There were really neat paintings covering the walls too.  As for her defense, there was only an allotted amount of time for questions, and once they were up, the faculty left to deliberate upon returning with granting Is...
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maandag

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Monday, June 6, 2011,
I'm working on my Dutch slowly but surely!  It's Monday and nothing much happened today.  I think we are making some great progress in the transition to the new UNAWE website and that it will be beneficial to the users.  I'll be sure to post a link as soon as it is up and running!
 
Fortunately we missed the rain today too and it was only pouring while we were inside working.  Otherwise the weather has been fairly nice while I have been here.
 
Today I did a load of laundry too.  Mrs. Kramer show...
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hazelnoot pasta

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Sunday, June 5, 2011,
Today Maya and I went to the grocery store and when there, I bought this: hazelnoot pasta aka generic nutella, but just as delicious.  Unfortunately there are no graham crackers here, or if so I have yet to find them.  Nonetheless, I can do without.  I've been thinking that I should weigh my suitcases and determine just how many jars I can bring back with me (because it is the cheapest I have ever found nutella) - they have multiple generic kinds here for goodness sake!  They have some stuff ...
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stroopwafel saturday! and amsterdam

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Sunday, June 5, 2011,
(I love alliteration.) Sorry on the delay for this post, but here goes my Saturday!

This morning I slept in - it was great.  I then met Sarah and Pedro at the market and I had to get a stroopwafel right away of course.  I think the guy who sells them and I are going to become good friends (at least until the end of July!).  We then walked around and explored some shops seeing if there was anything "needed".  Being in a town like Leiden, there are many cute little shops, no Targets for sure.  W...
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people dressed up like elephants = normal?... apparently so!

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Thursday, June 2, 2011,
Starbucks at the train station - they sell.... STROOPWAFELS!  Why in the world do we not have this at our locations in the states?!?!?!


They also have cups 'for here' at the Starbucks - something I think we should have back home too.  No one is in a hurry here.

When eating at dinner, you literally have to flag down/signal or bluntly tell the waiter or waitress that you want your check and are ready to pay - aka leave.  In no sense do they rush you.  When we ate at the indian restaurant the o...


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aliens that speak German and Einstein on a wall

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Thursday, June 2, 2011,
"It sounds like the aliens in District 9 speaking German."  That is apparently what someone, to remain unnamed, thinks that Dutch sounds like.

I have a bit of a beef too - there are two things that have frustrated me and impeded slightly on my ability to be organized in the office.  1 - hole punches.  We have three-hole punches but here they have no such thing, they have two-hole punches.  So odd.  I saw the hole punch on the desk in George's office and was trying to figure out what it was and...
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a 'car park', 'dead dog' and oil soaking hair

Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Wednesday, June 1, 2011,
Today was pretty entertaining to say the least!  It started out like normal, I got up and ready, and I'm telling you, this concept of time in Europe is just so relaxed I don't worry if I may be a few minutes early or behind; it's a coffee break!

I felt so cool biking to the University today.  I say this because I have refused to wear my tennis shoes or 'lounge' clothes per say, because I am (hopefully) looking like a "European"!  Just a small accomplishment of mine!

So the whole joke here at th...
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