We are down to 6 weeks left before Eliza (aka. Kumkuata) rearranges our lives. I am very excited and think it is going to be so much fun to have a little kid taking up all of my spare (and not so spare) time. Here are some pictures from today (23 March 2008):
Jenny was in Mexico last week presenting some of her research on children's folk music at the first meeting of the world's experts in the subject - there were 6 people in attendance - but she said it was a lot of fun to talk to people who really enjoy doing the same thing she does. There were persons representing Europe, America, Mexico and South America, and the Pacific Isles. The representative from China was unable to attend. They spent a week talking about their research and their individual challenges finding credible sources.
Jenny goes to Denver on Wednesday for another music conference where she will have some of her students perform in the national choir.
Two weeks ago I presented some of my research at a conference in New Mexico. It was well received. My topic was a computer model of a reactor for converting coal, biomass (grass/tree clippings, etc.), or garbage to gasoline and diesel fuel. The feed stocks are first converted into carbon monoxide and hydrogen through a gasification process before they are converted to liquid fuels in my reactor. Companies can use my model to help design reactors for commercial production. My professor will present nearly the same talk (and most of the same slides) at the American Chemical Society meeting in Louisiana on April 5.
We are excited for the end of this semester and for me to finally be done with classes so I can focus on research. With any luck, I can get my dissertation work done in no more than two years.
Well, who knows. Perhaps I will update this again soon, then again, the next log might be pictures from Eliza's first birthday!
