Illness in Illinois

In case you were wondering, it hurts very badly to fly when your ears are plugged because of a cold.  Descending is the worst.  And then you look silly because half the time you're trying to yawn as big as you can on the off-chance that your ears might clear and the rest of the time you're shaking your head or grabbing your ears.  One plus: you can't hear the shrieking toddler who is two rows away.

Despite my discomfort, the double trip to Illinois went very well this weekend.  We worked with two wonderful families and a couple sweet kids.  The suitcase made it to Peoria (see my post from Feb 2010) this time, and there were no other mishaps.  I drove a Nissan Cube, which was interesting.  I'm definitely not a fan of the way it looks from the outside, but it was quite spacious inside, and the cup holder to the left of the steering wheel was perfect.  My colleague enjoyed pointing out the sights to me as we drove from Peoria to Chicago (she went to undergrad nearby).  I particularly liked the wind farm.  I've seen modern windmills before, but never so many in one place!  After a successful visit and only a 1-hour delay in O'Hare, I made it home in time to see the second half of the KU game.  Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

First Proseminar Presentation

Today was a big day for me in the life of the Child Language program at KU.  I gave a talk at Proseminar today for the first time.  It was also the first time I formally presented my own research that was not required for a class.  Though I participated in the poster session last week in San Antonio, today I had to talk about my work, not just stand by my poster and answer questions.  Overall, I think it went well.  It was short, but I knew it would be.  I fielded questions throughout and at the end, and I didn't get flustered.  It would be interesting to see a video of myself, though I might be terrified by what I see!

Gatlinburg Conference, Day 3 wrap up

Home again to freezing cold and rainy Kansas.  I already miss warm and balmy San Antonio!  The Riverwalk is absolutely beautiful, and I highly recommend it!

the view from a balcony at Hotel Contessa

My first poster presentation on Wednesday evening was a success. I enjoyed meeting and talking with well-established researchers whose papers I've read as well as new graduate students working on another part of the larger project I'm a part of.  Granted, my feet were protesting very much by the time I sat down in my room, but all in all it was a good evening.

On Thursday I heard some great presentations and discussions during the symposia I attended, as well as from the plenary speakers, including Dr. Cheryl Sisk.  I'm really starting to like these conference things!

I also got to go to the Alamo on Thursday, after lunch on the Riverwalk.  Wow.  Talk about a piece of history smack dab in the middle of the city!  We also managed to be there on the week of the 175th anniversary week (the Alamo fell on March 6), which made things interesting.

me at the Alamo

Back at the conference, I attended yet another fascinating symposium, then wandered among the posters at the second poster session.  Once we got our fill, several of us went to eat at a recommended bar-b-que place on the Riverwalk.  It was delicious!

This morning, I woke up extra early to pack and then attended the last symposium and plenary speaker session.  Dr. Laurence Steinberg gave a great talk.  During the closing remarks, there was a drawing for free books from the publisher sponsor, Brookes.  My name was drawn, so I got to choose a stack of books to bring home!  So now I have in my possession a handbook of intellectual and developmental disabilities, which I'm sure will come in very handy.

I can't wait for next year's Gatlinburg!

Gatlinburg Conference, Day 1

Gatlinburg Conference on Research and Theory in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilites, San Antonio, TX

I'm here attending my second conference in the last 5 months (not to mention my 2nd conference ever).  The morning session was great, and I learned a lot.  I heard four research presentations from people studying the psychological well-being of caregivers of children with autism and/or ID (intellectual disability), and the discussion that took place after the presentations was quite interesting.  After the obligatory opening remarks from the conference coordinator, Dr. Ronald Dahl talked with us about adolescence and neurobiology.  His talk was very user-friendly and he was an entertaining speaker!

This afternoon I'll go to another symposium and then an information session by NIH.  After that, I'll be participating in my first poster session.  I'll be one of 31 researchers standing by our posters discussing them and answering questions.  It should be informative for me, but it's also a little nerve-wracking!

(hopefully I'll be relaxed enough to watch the KU game right after!)