April means (at least in NZ) getting cold, dark, rainy - and badminton season. This year I was really looking forward to being in the Hutt Valley reps again, but unfortunately they did the grading during one of my trips away (the NY/Melbourne one, I think). So this year I'm a reserve.
While I'm naturally disappointed, I'm also trying to look on the bright side: I can still go to training and improve my game, and it won't cost as much. Opportunities to practise singles are few and far between. And I'm not hoping that someone injures themselves, but if they did then I'd get to play in the ties.
On work-related matters, I'm in paper-writing mode at the moment. We have one on the iron carbonate scale formation (experiments done in Melbourne last July) that has come back from the reviewers requiring revision, then another on a computer program I started writing in 2005, and finally a third on some experiments we did at Stanford in January 2009.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
100 km
Last weekend was the Oxfam Trailwalker - a challenge to walk 100 km in under 36 hours.
Here's us at the start line at 6 am on Saturday morning.
We had two goals: first, to get all four members over the finish line, 100 km later. Second, to do it in a quicker time than the two members who finished last year.
This was no mean feat (no pun intended), and it definitely helped having an awesome support crew. As some of you will know, I was on the support crew last year and watching Christina and Marama cross the finish line was what drove me to have a go this year.
The first leg was the most crowded, which stands to reason since 600 people passing the start line within a minute or so of each other is going to result in a big bunch-up. It was foggy but not too cold, as we made our way up the bank of the Waikato River, across the bridge at Huka Falls, and through Craters of the Moon to checkpoint 1. Leg 2 was along some back roads through the scoria quarry and through pine forest to the Girl Guide camp. Leg 3 through native bush along the W2K track to Kinloch, at which point my right knee was starting to complain. We began leg 4, the longest at 19 km, about an hour before sunset and once it was dark we found ourselves very much on our own. Following the trail in the dark was not too difficult at first, but as the track moved from bush into farmland the markers got further and further apart and we had to spread out a bit to find them again. Legs 5, 6 and 7 were all in the dark, crossing the river and more farmland. Sometime during the night my left knee decided it had had enough too. But that's what strapping tape is for. We began the final 13 km leg just as dawn was breaking. Following the new Taupo bypass road and then cutting under State Highway 1, then the final push along the lakefront back into town to the finish line.
As you can see we achieved both our goals: all four members made it to the finish line, and in 27:51 - beating last year's time of 29:30.
It was an experience; I'm not sure yet if I'm 'glad' I did it - I guess it's just one of those things you challenge yourself with. And one that for me, is certainly 'been there, done that' (i.e. not doing it again).
Here's us at the start line at 6 am on Saturday morning.
We had two goals: first, to get all four members over the finish line, 100 km later. Second, to do it in a quicker time than the two members who finished last year.
This was no mean feat (no pun intended), and it definitely helped having an awesome support crew. As some of you will know, I was on the support crew last year and watching Christina and Marama cross the finish line was what drove me to have a go this year.
The first leg was the most crowded, which stands to reason since 600 people passing the start line within a minute or so of each other is going to result in a big bunch-up. It was foggy but not too cold, as we made our way up the bank of the Waikato River, across the bridge at Huka Falls, and through Craters of the Moon to checkpoint 1. Leg 2 was along some back roads through the scoria quarry and through pine forest to the Girl Guide camp. Leg 3 through native bush along the W2K track to Kinloch, at which point my right knee was starting to complain. We began leg 4, the longest at 19 km, about an hour before sunset and once it was dark we found ourselves very much on our own. Following the trail in the dark was not too difficult at first, but as the track moved from bush into farmland the markers got further and further apart and we had to spread out a bit to find them again. Legs 5, 6 and 7 were all in the dark, crossing the river and more farmland. Sometime during the night my left knee decided it had had enough too. But that's what strapping tape is for. We began the final 13 km leg just as dawn was breaking. Following the new Taupo bypass road and then cutting under State Highway 1, then the final push along the lakefront back into town to the finish line.
As you can see we achieved both our goals: all four members made it to the finish line, and in 27:51 - beating last year's time of 29:30.
It was an experience; I'm not sure yet if I'm 'glad' I did it - I guess it's just one of those things you challenge yourself with. And one that for me, is certainly 'been there, done that' (i.e. not doing it again).
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Post-Easter
Just a quick catch-up on the events of the last couple of weeks.
The experiments in Melbourne went really well, despite only getting about 20 hours' sleep in 5 days. I used my two complimentary long-haul upgrades to travel business class from San Francisco to Auckland, and let me tell you, it was worth it. Also managed to catch up with my good friends Paul and Marge and spend an evening with them before the experiments started.
Easter I spent at home. Mum and I went to a Good Friday service at a small local Anglican church that was a bit dire, and Easter Sunday service at Knox. I might try there again on Sundays after Trailwalker, and see how things go. It helps that I already know a few people there.
The next big thing however is Trailwalker. Four days to go. I don't know if I'm ready for it, but it's a bit too late now! I'll let you know how I get on in my next blog entry... and that website again if you want to sponsor us is right here.
The experiments in Melbourne went really well, despite only getting about 20 hours' sleep in 5 days. I used my two complimentary long-haul upgrades to travel business class from San Francisco to Auckland, and let me tell you, it was worth it. Also managed to catch up with my good friends Paul and Marge and spend an evening with them before the experiments started.
Easter I spent at home. Mum and I went to a Good Friday service at a small local Anglican church that was a bit dire, and Easter Sunday service at Knox. I might try there again on Sundays after Trailwalker, and see how things go. It helps that I already know a few people there.
The next big thing however is Trailwalker. Four days to go. I don't know if I'm ready for it, but it's a bit too late now! I'll let you know how I get on in my next blog entry... and that website again if you want to sponsor us is right here.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
In transit
So I made the mistake on my trip to NY of watching the new George Clooney movie, 'Up in the Air'. Really, they should not show it on planes. How depressing - a life of transit lounges, waiting, security checkpoints, one hotel room after another, meeting people whom you'll probably never see again. While I'm not a business(wo)man, sometimes my life does resemble the tediousness of travel. It's at this point I have to remind myself that not many people get the opportunities I have been given to travel, and that there's more joy in the destination than the journey itself (thinking of long-haul flights here).
Anyway the experiments in NY worked really well; the samples were much more stable, reproducible, and generally better behaved than when we attempted these experiments nearly 2 years ago. There were 5 of us working which made the shift work a little bit easier, but still the days were long. Now comes the task of analysing the data, but the students should be able to do most of that themselves with a little guidance. Hopefully this won't be too difficult - they are in the UK.
I'm now on my way to Melbourne for the next round of carbon dioxide corrosion of steel experiments. We performed the first ones of these in July last year and are about to submit a paper on that work.
All in all things are quite intense at the moment, and I can't afford to slow down just yet. Better to stay in a state of sleep-deprivation than to let the fallout hit me just yet!
Anyway the experiments in NY worked really well; the samples were much more stable, reproducible, and generally better behaved than when we attempted these experiments nearly 2 years ago. There were 5 of us working which made the shift work a little bit easier, but still the days were long. Now comes the task of analysing the data, but the students should be able to do most of that themselves with a little guidance. Hopefully this won't be too difficult - they are in the UK.
I'm now on my way to Melbourne for the next round of carbon dioxide corrosion of steel experiments. We performed the first ones of these in July last year and are about to submit a paper on that work.
All in all things are quite intense at the moment, and I can't afford to slow down just yet. Better to stay in a state of sleep-deprivation than to let the fallout hit me just yet!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
March madness
So it's been a few weeks since I updated this blog; sorry about that - there's been a lot happening.
So I got back from a very successful trip to Stanford and visiting my friend Alison; that was followed by a not-so-inspiring trip to Sydney for a nanotech conference. I don't know quite what it is, but nothing there really seemed to inspire me. Perhaps it was the fact I'd been living out of a suitcase, and the only time I got to spend at home was all used up on Trailwalker training walks.
Anyhow, that saw February out the door, at which point I spent a week and a bit hosting a colleague from Stanford. We met with some people re: science stuff and then took a few days to head up to Taupo to do the Tongariro Northern Circuit (one of the Great Walks). It was fantastic - there's no other word. We had a day in Taupo afterwards to relax a bit, then he took the bus to Auckland and I drove back home. Now I have one more day at work, before heading off to New York on Monday, spending a week there and then heading directly to Melbourne. Both trips for yet more experiments - and yes, I am looking forward to them.
When I get back it'll be Easter and then the following week is Trailwalker. It has come up really fast and it's kind of scary to think that it's less than a month away. Life is being measured in weeks again. But sometimes that's the only way to make things manageable!
View over Mt Tongariro from the top of Mt Ngauruhoe. As you can see, the weather was perfect.
So I got back from a very successful trip to Stanford and visiting my friend Alison; that was followed by a not-so-inspiring trip to Sydney for a nanotech conference. I don't know quite what it is, but nothing there really seemed to inspire me. Perhaps it was the fact I'd been living out of a suitcase, and the only time I got to spend at home was all used up on Trailwalker training walks.
Anyhow, that saw February out the door, at which point I spent a week and a bit hosting a colleague from Stanford. We met with some people re: science stuff and then took a few days to head up to Taupo to do the Tongariro Northern Circuit (one of the Great Walks). It was fantastic - there's no other word. We had a day in Taupo afterwards to relax a bit, then he took the bus to Auckland and I drove back home. Now I have one more day at work, before heading off to New York on Monday, spending a week there and then heading directly to Melbourne. Both trips for yet more experiments - and yes, I am looking forward to them.
When I get back it'll be Easter and then the following week is Trailwalker. It has come up really fast and it's kind of scary to think that it's less than a month away. Life is being measured in weeks again. But sometimes that's the only way to make things manageable!
View over Mt Tongariro from the top of Mt Ngauruhoe. As you can see, the weather was perfect.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Still on the road
Well I'm still on the road (figuratively), have got to see a lot of different airport lounges in the last month. The latest trip is to Sydney for a conference; hopefully I'll get more out of this than the last one I went to in Waiheke at the beginning of the month.
Wrapping up from the last trip, the experiments worked reasonably well. I haven't had a chance to look through things in any more detail but I may get some time this week. I also had a couple of days afterwards where I went to visit my friend Alison who had to move back to northern CA after her NZ visa ran out. So that was fun.
Managed to get in another long walk last weekend - measured on the map to be about 33 km but it was probably longer than that. However it didn't help my cold any, but hopefully I'll be able to get rid of it in a couple more days.
Wrapping up from the last trip, the experiments worked reasonably well. I haven't had a chance to look through things in any more detail but I may get some time this week. I also had a couple of days afterwards where I went to visit my friend Alison who had to move back to northern CA after her NZ visa ran out. So that was fun.
Managed to get in another long walk last weekend - measured on the map to be about 33 km but it was probably longer than that. However it didn't help my cold any, but hopefully I'll be able to get rid of it in a couple more days.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Goodbye NZ summer, hello CA winter
Once again I have forfeited the good ol' kiwi summer to come to Stanford for some synchrotron experiments. Everything's going well so far - samples arrived on time from two different sources, I've arrived safely, and meeting up with friends is all going to plan. The airline didn't lose my bags and I haven't pranged the rental car. They even gave me a GPS with it. The only thing I forgot was the US cash that work gave me a week beforehand, but I discovered in time and was able to get some more at the airport.
Strange to think that this time in a week I will be heading home again - there's so much to get done between now and then!
Lastly - I shared a plane (and the koru lounge) with some minor celebrities called the NZ rugby sevens team and entourage. Photo proof.
Strange to think that this time in a week I will be heading home again - there's so much to get done between now and then!
Lastly - I shared a plane (and the koru lounge) with some minor celebrities called the NZ rugby sevens team and entourage. Photo proof.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Wedding bells
Today my youngest brother is getting married. Over the last several months, since their engagement, I've struggled to understand my emotions about all of this.
On the one hand, I acknowledge that it is a part of life and it is God-ordained. But on another I'm upset about it, and I don't really know why. Maybe because I'm still single, maybe because it feels like I'm losing him (although I'm not really - on the contrary; I'm gaining a sister!).
I spent some time in prayer last night, on and off. The following passages of Scripture came to mind:
"Jesus replied, Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it." (Matt. 19:11-12)
I remember coming across this passage in my 'teens, and thinking even then that somehow it applied to me. Then here is another one:
"I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion...
"Nevertheless, each one whould retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him...
"Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgement as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are...
"I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs - how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world - how he can please his wife - and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world - how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord." (1 Cor. 7:1-2, 7-9, 17, 25-26, 32-35)
This whole chapter is relevant, but I've highlighted above the verse that is for me at the present time.
I've known God my entire life. I've known how much He loves me since I can remember anything. I've grown into a fuller and fuller understanding of just what that means, and I'm almost ashamed to think that any human love I might receive could ever compare with that.
For sure, there are great benefits to marriage. It's God's invention for creating families and sharing His love between each other. He said Himself, "It is not good for man to be alone; I will make a helper suitable for him" (Gen. 2:18).
But at this stage in my life, with so many opportunities to travel for work, and so little time to spare, being single does enable me to use that time in God's service and to spend time in prayer and studying the Bible. I'm not alone, because He is with me all the time. He may not be visible, but He's there.
I've already found the love of my life. And some day I will be His bride (2 Cor. 11:2, Rev. 19:7-8).
"I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." (Isa 61:10)
Anyway today is not about me. It's about Stu and Nicola and the rest of their life. Congratulations and wishing you all the best.
On the one hand, I acknowledge that it is a part of life and it is God-ordained. But on another I'm upset about it, and I don't really know why. Maybe because I'm still single, maybe because it feels like I'm losing him (although I'm not really - on the contrary; I'm gaining a sister!).
I spent some time in prayer last night, on and off. The following passages of Scripture came to mind:
"Jesus replied, Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it." (Matt. 19:11-12)
I remember coming across this passage in my 'teens, and thinking even then that somehow it applied to me. Then here is another one:
"I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion...
"Nevertheless, each one whould retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him...
"Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgement as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are...
"I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs - how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world - how he can please his wife - and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world - how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord." (1 Cor. 7:1-2, 7-9, 17, 25-26, 32-35)
This whole chapter is relevant, but I've highlighted above the verse that is for me at the present time.
I've known God my entire life. I've known how much He loves me since I can remember anything. I've grown into a fuller and fuller understanding of just what that means, and I'm almost ashamed to think that any human love I might receive could ever compare with that.
For sure, there are great benefits to marriage. It's God's invention for creating families and sharing His love between each other. He said Himself, "It is not good for man to be alone; I will make a helper suitable for him" (Gen. 2:18).
But at this stage in my life, with so many opportunities to travel for work, and so little time to spare, being single does enable me to use that time in God's service and to spend time in prayer and studying the Bible. I'm not alone, because He is with me all the time. He may not be visible, but He's there.
I've already found the love of my life. And some day I will be His bride (2 Cor. 11:2, Rev. 19:7-8).
"I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." (Isa 61:10)
Anyway today is not about me. It's about Stu and Nicola and the rest of their life. Congratulations and wishing you all the best.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Planning the next few months
January has been rather quiet, which is just as well since I will be travelling for most of February and March. 2 conferences, 2 trips to the US, 1 trip to Melbourne, and hosting an overseas visitor for a week who wants to do the Tongariro Northern Circuit.
Oh and Stu's wedding is just before all that.
And then in April is Trailwalker.
I'm going to be busy.
Oh and Stu's wedding is just before all that.
And then in April is Trailwalker.
I'm going to be busy.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Happy New Year 2010!
A big hello to all of you in cyber-world reading this. As is my habit, yesterday I spent a bit of time reflecting on 2009, which naturally led to thinking about 2010. Perhaps the scariest thought is that I'll be 30 this year. But we'll cross that bridge when we get to it, and try not to feel old in the meantime!
One of the things for this year is that I feel like I have a new lease on life church-wise. I was recently stood down from all ministry activities in the church I have been attending for the last 2 1/2 years, and it gave me time to reflect. In the end I realised that I didn't agree with the governance structure (or at least, their interpretation of it) and I've decided to move on and start a new chapter. There are pretty slim pickings for standard Sunday churches around here, but not to worry because I'm part of a home fellowship group that meets every Friday. I've prayed a lot about this and I really feel that God is going to do something awesome through that group. Now I'm just praying that He will give somebody in it the vision that He wants to achieve. I am also beginning to realise how I've been stuck in a spiritual rut for the last few years, so it's all quite exciting really.
Other things coming up in the near future, I'm going to be involved in writing a significant chunk of a major ($2.4m) funding bid at work, which is a big responsibility. On another note there's Stu and Nicola's wedding at the end of January, and on another is the Trailwalker in April. Finally, about the only thing I would count as a new year's resolution would be to visit a friend in Perth sometime this year.
One of the things for this year is that I feel like I have a new lease on life church-wise. I was recently stood down from all ministry activities in the church I have been attending for the last 2 1/2 years, and it gave me time to reflect. In the end I realised that I didn't agree with the governance structure (or at least, their interpretation of it) and I've decided to move on and start a new chapter. There are pretty slim pickings for standard Sunday churches around here, but not to worry because I'm part of a home fellowship group that meets every Friday. I've prayed a lot about this and I really feel that God is going to do something awesome through that group. Now I'm just praying that He will give somebody in it the vision that He wants to achieve. I am also beginning to realise how I've been stuck in a spiritual rut for the last few years, so it's all quite exciting really.
Other things coming up in the near future, I'm going to be involved in writing a significant chunk of a major ($2.4m) funding bid at work, which is a big responsibility. On another note there's Stu and Nicola's wedding at the end of January, and on another is the Trailwalker in April. Finally, about the only thing I would count as a new year's resolution would be to visit a friend in Perth sometime this year.
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