All kinds of stuff

Hello people,

how are you guys doing? It's been a while since my last entry. I apologize for getting a little bit sloppy in keeping you updated. Mainly it's because Iam really busy writing report and doing lab stuff right now, as well as runnning samples on the mass spec (really takes a lot of time just for some data, i'm telling you!) So what exiting things happened over the last few days?Well, lectures are over now and there was a HUGE graduation celebration at Drew's place (my advisor) with lots of food, beer and interesting conversations. On the photo photo on the right you can see the charming baby blue gradutations costumes people were to match UNC colors when they graduate (freshly baked geology bachelors!).
So Mitchell Hall (geology department) has been quite empty, which is quite nice for working. However there is summer school going on (this spanish teacher who has lectures right next the office I work in has kind of an annoying voice).
Besides work, my roommate Herbert and I were hanging out on Franklin Street a couple of times. Once we went to a comedy night in one of the bars called Jack Sprat Café which was a lot of fun. They also have an Irish pub there which is really awesome.
Last sunday we went for a some hiking to Eno River State Park, which is only a couple of miles away from Chapel Hill.

Long time ago Indians of the Eno, Shakori, and Occoneechee tribes, lived along the river when the first European explorers passed through. And somewhere around Durham there is a village where you can still find Native American people!
Alright, that is it for now I gotta do some more writing (it's a pain, but it must be done).

Love ya!

-Jan

Mother's day

Happy Mother's day,

to all the moms out there and particulary to my mom back at home! Hope you all have a great day as this second sunday in May belongs all to you. Unfortunately there is still rain but hopefully that does not spoil the mood too much.

-Jan

Cheesecake! *yumyum*

Heya!

Ever since watching The Big Bang Theory (American TV show) I wanted to check out an actual Cheesecake factory, which are very popular throughout The States. So finally yesterday the moment had come to checkout the highly praised dessert of this branch. Since temperatures already indicate summer I went with a mango-lime cheesecake and guys, I have never ever tasted anything like this before! It was the most amazing cheesecake of my life! Two if not three thumps up! ;)
I don't know if any of you were watching the series but apparently they don't wear those costumes here which they do in the show (see picture), which was a minor drawback (just plain white and every person regardless of gender wore a tie!). Nevertheless the stylistic inconsistency did by no means spoil the experience. I really recommend the show, it's fabulous but you should definately watch it in English, as the German synchro clearly does not have the same vibe to it.

Also I hear that the weather in Jena returned to being miserable again, hope that changes soon!
-Jan

The flavour of Germany

Hi Folks,

this Friday Herbert and I invited some people over to our place for the Combined German Food and Movie Night (fancy title, huh?). We had some potatoe salad (my first time trying to make one) and I was pleased to see that our guests liked it. :D Due to lack of Vienna sausages we had use hotdog-imposters and of course (!) mustard (an absolute must for a German potatoe salad *g*).
To complete the evening we watched a movie somewhat relating to my home country: Inglorious Basterds. It's a film by Quentin Tarentino, who is well known for his unique film plots and screenplay arrangements. His films tend to polarize people into one group loving his creation and another one that can absolutely get nothing out of his works. Since the German Nazi's were being protrayed as evil villians who would get what was coming to them at the end of the movie the audience felt quite pleased. Interestingly enough the actors were actually speaking German (with an American accent), which I think was interesting to watch.At the weekend nothing too much exciting happend, except that I went out with Herbert and a couple of his friends saturday night to watch a box fight in Raleigh. Always fun to meet new people during these occasions. Unfortunately I thereby missed the opportunity for a pool party but I guess there will be plenty more occasions for this!

That's it for the time being, I should really return to work now, only six weeks left!

-Jan