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!)

Blizzard Day

Well, apparently I managed to miss posting in all of January.  As far as work goes, it wasn't terribly exciting for me.  My colleagues did have a couple interesting trips, and I did have a good time working with our family in Topeka, but no major snow dramas or anything.  Personally, I got to be a bridesmaid in the wedding of my best friend from middle school.  We've known each other for nearly 15 years.  I'm super happy for her!!

We're welcoming February 2011 in with a serious blizzard.  KU is closed today, so I'm attempting to be productive from home.  At least it's warm and cozy here.  I'm sure the lab would be absolutely frigid today since it's quite chilly on warmer days.  It's been snowing for several hours, but the wind is blowing so hard it's difficult to tell how much snow we've actually gotten.  The 1/10 inch of ice is definitely there, though! 

Farewell 2010

What a year 2010 has been.  My first full calendar year as a graduate student.  This year I took a class during the summer for the first time in my educational career.  I traveled on 20 different trips to 12 different states, several of them more than once.  I attended my first research conference.  I began work on my master's thesis.

I was thankful that I was able to be with my family for Christmas this year.  Though the 600-mile drive home was long, it was worth it to see my parents, my brother, my grandparents, my aunts, & my cousins (including the in-law).  I enjoyed celebrating my birthday with them on Christmas evening.  It's great to be at home because I get to eat such good home-cooked food, this time prepared by my brother.  After a week of holiday relaxation, I made the 600-mile drive back to Lawrence.  When I got back to my apartment, I opened a beautiful letter from a friend from college talking about how much she appreciated and admired me.  I was astounded.  It was the perfect ending to my holiday celebrations. 

And now, bring it on 2011!!

Christmas Tree

Quick study break.

I got a Christmas tree this afternoon.  My first tree not with my family.  It was fun to drive it home on top of my car!  I've still got work to do tonight, so the tree is currently sitting on my balcony chillin' out until I can decorate it during MNF tomorrow night.  I had to get a stand and lights and everything.  Last year I bought some ornaments when they were ridiculously on sale, so my tree won't be decorated in just lights.

Okay. Gotta get back to work.