Surviving Iowa...Once Again!

So, for the past couple of weeks, I've been slowly settling down here in Iowa. I have a whole bunch of mixed feelings - some exciting, some not so interesting, yet some...very pleasant ones. Ever since I moved back here, I have a whole bunch of "deja-vu" feelings. Since I had lived here before, adjusting to a small town environment is definitely not a problem. It just takes a little time to fall back in to the "usual" routine. As you can imagine, I am starting it all over again here...

I rented a nice apartment (a town house - two floors! Don't imagine anything super...it is just a student housing apartment) close to campus. I bought a new bed, some new furniture, and started decorating the place. I'm seeing some of my old friends and it is just awesome! Also, I'm being reconnected to the lovely international student community, and I've also been loving speaking ("practicing") Russian.

This place also brings me a host of wonderful memories from my student life - the places, the hang out spots, some nice moments ...it is quite interesting! It is almost surreal in a sense that I almost feel that I never left this place at all!! Well, there are a few differences from the time I was a student here. Things have changed, I have changed! I no longer have to drive a crappy car and live on a measly grad assistant stipend, for example! : )

Work-wise, it has been plain OK so far. I *definitely* miss my job in UMD and the freedom I enjoyed. Now, I must also say that since I've been here only for two weeks, my thoughts about work will always be skewed toward DC. I will wait to see how things will unfold here. I'm going to give it six months to see if I will like my job. If I do, I will stick around. If not, I plan to go back to my job in UMD.

Let us see how this "Iowa Experiment" of mine will turn out! Wish me luck!

Now, back to some photos from Paris!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2260350&l=a339e&id=5734033

Here are some night-time photos from Paris. Hope you enjoy!

In Iowa...

I reached Iowa Saturday night, and ever since I didn't get a chance to post here. I will some interesting photos though! I will post them once I find/set up my own place!

See ya!

Day 2: Starting from Wauseon, OH

So, day #2 begins! I rested overnight in a tiny town called "Wauseon,
OH" - population: a whopping 7000! Of course, for even a small town of
that size, there was a walmart supercenter.

I'm currently in Indiana at a rest stop. See you from Illinois!

In Ohio...

> I just crossed into Ohio! It already seems a bit flat and more Iowa-
> like!

> Welcome to the Midwest!

Off to Iowa: LIVE from the road!

Greetings from the Maryland / Pennsylvania border. I started driving
out to Iowa this morning and I plan to drive 50% of the route today.

I'll post updates whenever I stop at a rest area along the highway. I
didnt figure out how to post photos to blogger from my iPhone. I'll
try that when I stop for lunch in a couple of hours.

Ciao.

Moving to Iowa!!!

Hello Y'all! I have some news for all of you. Some of you know this already, but here it is for all of you:

I am moving to Iowa!

Yes, really! I'm moving out to the mid-west to start a new job there! I have accepted an exciting opportunity in Iowa at my alma mater and I will be moving there in a couple of days. I look forward to my new job and the other exciting research opportunities that might come way.

It is kind of sad leaving the wonderful DC metro area, my friends here, and all kinds of social activities I'm involved in. I will also definitely miss the DC weather, especially in Winter!

Now, I must also tell you that I will continue working at the University of Maryland, part-time! I will be working from Iowa and will be visiting DC once in a while. I'm really glad that I will still have the opportunity to meet my friends over here.

If you feel like visiting large corn fields or if you ever want to meet the most friendliest people in the world, come visit me in Iowa! It will be a lot of fun :-)

DC's Spring Beauty!

DC transforms into a blossoming beauty every spring. The world famous DC cherry blossoms come to full bloom every spring in April and thousands flock to watch them. If I were to pick one single natural "must-see" thing, I'd pick cherry blossoms.

I'll soon post more fantastic views of the DC cherry blossoms this year.

Photos from Rome...

Hello Folks, I am back from Europe and I must say that I had a WONDERFUL time in both Rome and Paris. Both cities are quite a treat to the eye in terms of art, architecture, and culture. While Rome has an ancient and (quite rightfully) historic feel, Paris had this glamorous and glitzy look.

Here are some low-res photos from Rome. I hope you like them. Don't forget to check out my Facebook album too! Photos from Paris are coming soon.

Facebook Album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2253074&l=1b2a6&id=5734033

Ciao!