As Cathy said, "on to Japan!"

Thanks so much for the good wishes everyone! I'm so glad that is over, so now I can concentrate on Japan. Below I have pasted a link to a map that shows where I will be for 8 weeks starting in mid June. Luckily, I worked it out that I can stay one extra week to travel at the end (I wish it were more, but I really have to come back and move apartments). I'm really looking forward to it. I will try to be good about posting pictures (I got a digital camera for Christmas that should get a workout this summer).

Shirahama, Japan

PS I have been kinda lame and haven't visited this site lately. Therefore I missed the birth of Annika and Erin's defense. Congratulations to you both and I'm sorry for the delayed wishes!

Candidate Abby

Hurrah for Abby, who passed her candidacy exams yesterday!!

And the celebrating rolls on

This is the week of Abby's candidacy exam, my seniors' orals, Cheryl's anniversary (I think), Jennifer's end of her first year teaching (all the way through finals), my end of classes for the second year, nearly the end of Beth's third year and Annika's fourth week of life.
It's also the week of my annual appreciation of azaleas and the mysterious wondrous fragrance I can't identify (similar to Korean Spice Viburnumsm, but not).

Break a leg Abby and happy Spring everyone!

Earth Day Defense

I am going to assume Erin is either taking her parents to the airport, sleeping soundly -- possibly even a bit hungover (from celebrating, of course), or too modest to post the details of her presentation.....so I am going to spill the beans and share that she did a FABULOUS job in her defense. Big crowd, beautifully smooth delivery, minimal hazing by the committee (judging by the time we waited outside the door, anyway) and she is now, officially, a REAL DOCTOR.

Leg Breaking and Candle Blowing

It's the week of Erin's defense, Molly's big presentation, Irene's anniversary, Beth's birthday, Jennifer's last class of her first year at WJ and my, well, my annual appreciation of apple blossoms.

Break metaphorical legs, happy birthday and much celebrating!

Take only memories, leave only footprints....really?!?!

Here's a cool website to quantify your ecological footprints by taking a simple quiz.

http://www.myfootprint.org/en/

Human Evading and other Big Ecological Issues

Today we started the ecology unit (2 weeks) in Bio 101. I usually spend most of my time doing completely academic ecology (interactions, population growth, succession, energy flow, nutrient basics) but it occured to me recently that if I don't talk to these students about environmental issues from a scientific standpoint, nobody ever will.
So today I asked them to write the "Top 5 ecological or environmental issues facing teh planet in your lifetime" (and the "Top 5 ecological or environmental issues facing you in the next year" which were shockingly similar-- need to discuss scale). We're going to play family feud on Monday (top answers on the board) and I thought I should have a separate list of issues from ecologists or ecologically interested (yes, you too Abby). Please post your list in the comments. I'll put mine there and invite discussion (but don't look until you have a list in mind).

At the risk of spoiling your list, here are my favorite responses from my students for problems facing the planet: "deer use to humans" "change in daylight saving time" "people feeding deer" "E. coli" and "humans evading"

Annika Rose Khavin

She's here! She was born at 8:37 am on Sunday, April 6th, and weighed 6 lbs, 3.5 oz.

Here's a link to photos taken by her dad:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vkhavin/

I expect to post more details at some point soon, when I've managed to get a little sleep :-)

I can't believe . . .

that they actually pulled it off. Beth had called me during the last few minutes of regulation and we both were prepared for them to lose. What a game!

Was Lawrence just crazy last night? Does the town have a hangover this morning? Anyone going to the celebration at three today?

Hey - It's Debbie. I went to the rally today. Here's the pics!

Vert of the Week

I started vertebrate zoology explaining how the vert of the week is a rare hybrid of these two birds.

Between being in Lawrence last weekend and reading norlos today. I'm so excited about this game.

Rock chalk.

Diploma Incineration

Just so everyone knows, KU burns unclaimed diplomas not that long after they are issued. Don't wait almost two years after graduation to pop in and ask for it.
I know this from experience.

Final Four Cheering Song

Here's a song that I was sent about KU in the final four that needed to be shared with everyone.

Enjoy!

Knitting suggestion?

Hi,
I have a friend currently undergoing chemo for breast cancer, and she's been wanting a hat that isn't too wintry but will provide some cover until pleasent weather arrives. I'd like to knit one if I can, but would appreciate general pattern ideas from you more experienced knitters. I guess my main problem is that a soft yarn, maybe a cotton, seems best for comfort, but then any brim would be pretty floppy and potentially annoying. Any suggestions?

Grafting trees, goats and pigs.

This super cracks me up. I'm going to Haiti, and some of the activities I can help with include "ministries in agriculture--church gardens, grafting trees, goats and pigs. " HAHAHA I'm so excited. I'll be there in May, stay over night in Miami to fly into Port au Prince early enough to catch the private plane for a 1/2 hr. ride to Pignon in the central plateau. There are a ton of youtube videos on Pignon - seems to be a mecca of medical and missionary help. I'll work with 2 missionaries and help with some database stuff, teaching computers (from scratch, in French), and apparently grafting various livestock. I'll post an update from there if I can!