The Adventures of Stephanie

an asteroid, surprise party and canoe-polo?

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 the verdict.  It was in the same building that Isa's PhD defense was held in.  Super cool!  After she had her defense, we were all invited in the room to hear the verdict that she passed!  This was then followed by going to another room in the building where all the students of upper studies in the science departments at the Uni, upon completion, get to sign the wall.  Signatures also include guests like Nelson Mandela and the royal family.  It was pretty cool.  I forgot my camera today but will upload pictures later.  After, the group headed just down the street to a restaurant to celebrate... or so Tiffany thought!

Before all this happened (beginning at 5), at 3:45, thanks to Marissa's planning, we divided and conquered.  Myself, Sebastian and Karen headed to HEMA (a store) to get decorations and others went to get food.  After a bit of a bike accident (not me and don't worry no one was hurt - just the bike!), and dying of head (it was probably over 90 but I never looked), we went to the ISN lounge room, which was across the street from the restaurant we were 'going' to.  In just 20 minutes, our whole team decorated the room in great party style.

After Tiffany's defense, she was tricked into stopping in the ISN lounge for a 'present that was too large to carry'.  SURPRISE!  

 
Congrats Tiffany!
 
I think it went really well and we all had a great evening celebrating Tiffany's completion of her masters studies.  After, we went to Marissa and Tiffany's apartment and ordered pizza and hung out.  About 10:30pm it finally decided to rain and the lighting and everything was very intense.  Thanks to the handy radar website, we snuck home out of the rain with about 20 minutes to spare before the next downpour.


 Yesterday was a usual work day.  In the evening, I went to LEVITAS for kayaking.  Instead of the usual calm, relaxing, trip up and down the canal, I got roped into trying canoe-polo.  It is what it sounds like!  I was really nervous to play because I sometimes have a bit of trouble not being too competitive and I was one of three girls.  Fortunately, it was the first time for the majority to play.  As soon as I got to the club house, Oskar got me a kayak (which is shorter and kind of like bumper-boat kayak style), skirt, a vest, helmet (like for hockey), and a paddle.  And we're off!

We started with some drills and I did ok.  Then we played a little bit of a game of 5 v. 5.  Guess what? I SCORED!  I ended up having a ton of fun and I never flipped once, though there were 10+ falls of the evening.  After we had dinner with the group and then I headed home for the evening.  It was very tiring!
 

beach + scandinavian = sunburn

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!

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

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

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!

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.

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!

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...

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

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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