Thinking of family visiting me here in Germany

I am so excited that I finally have my christmas arrangements scheduled. It will be so great to see so many people in PA and really get to have two whole weeks to be with all of my family , and it will be great to see Oscar's family more and spend a holiday with them. They are such nice people and I'm also really looking forward to seeing Oscar's sister, Suz. I have only met her briefly, and she seems like she's interested in some really cool things. Whenever Oscar and I go to a castle I think of her- because she studies Medieval studies (sp?).

Anyway, I've been feeling better lately- and maybe in part that is because I feel a bit more connected to my family. Also, Oscar is helping me with my applications and I think I was really stressed about getting that work done and now that he is helping me I feel like it will be a lot easier. He is really good at writing and also really good at knowing what to say about oneself in an interview. He has been interviewing at his job for some time, so his advice will be extremely valuable as I'm applying.

Anyway, today I just got done talking with my new student. She is German and often teaches me something interesting about Germany. I really like that about her- she recognizes that all people can teach other interesting things and seems to find life quite interesting. She has a great personality and loves to do really creative activities. She is also a climber and I like that she is a very cautious one- as the careless ones are usually really annoying people. Anyway, another post-doc, Tobi, and I are working to mentor her towards getting her masters. She is a pleasure to have as a student because she is very sincere. She is critical- but what is great to see is that criticism really doesn't hurt nearly as much when the persons intentions are to learn or to make you or themselves better. So far (only a few weeks now) mentoring her is a joy of my week. It seems to provide me with some badly needed structure.

Now, on to the title of this blog- I really wanted to talk about how great a time I had with Lisa when she was here almost a year ago now. It was so great to see how enthusiastic she was about Europe. It was almost like looking at myself just two years ago when I first came to Europe! :) In some ways I was surprised by her enthusiasm, because I generally think that my sisters are just like me-- meaning as my experience updates, well then so does theres. However, in other ways, I realized that her enthusiasm was really what it should have been and she really made my "celebration of getting my Phd" quite memorable. I introduced her to all my friends and she was so sincere! She is such a great person. She really asked them interesting questions- she wasn't as shy as I am usually- and therefore came off as being super friendly, rather than stand-offish as I often do. She really taught me a lot while she was here. Also, we flew to Vienna where we had such a great time! :) The city was beautiful and we stayed in a hotel that was really pretty convenient to everything around there. I don't think I've EVER had as much fun travelling with someone more than I enjoyed travelling with Lisa! :) She is really sweet! :) I was telling Oscar the other day that the church in Vienna (Wien, to germans) is the most beautiful one I've seen in many ways. ;) Even more impressive than the ones in Rome. :)

Anyway, I wish Lisa could teleport over here to Germany once a week to have a girls night with me. If that were possible, for my sisters to join me every so often, I'd be a much happier individual. :) Instead, I just think about my sisters often. A few weeks ago I made a video for them and I watch it every now and then when I'm feeling really alone and missing my family.

I've included a photograph of Lisa and me in front of our church here in Tuebingen. Also, the video I made for my sisters. And for those of you who have been readed and are interested- the paper we submitted to IEEE-VR got in! :) I'm so proud of my student! Now, she just has to work hard and revise the paper so that I am okay with its final format! :) I'm coming to Reno this March, yeah! :) This might give me another opportunity to visit my family and friends! :)