March 23, 2010

Really interesting reading and a good idea

Quick post to let you know about a really nice book I've read lately. It's called The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind and tells the story of a young boy from Malawi who defying all his village disbelief successes in building a wind mill that generates electricity for his house. I loved it because it starts describing his childhood in Malawi, which was a pretty harsh one and then continues with the different stages of creating the wind mill, taking place during his youth. Plus, it's even more inspiring because William Kamkwamba (that's the guys name) is the same age us me and a lot of you.

The second item I wanted to share with you is a link to a web searcher that I recently got from a really good friend and who is getting more and more concerned into saving the planet. It's a good idea and worth a shot from my point of view. I will just let you judge and decide for yourselves.



March 22, 2010

Montana Adventure

Hey there folks!!!

How's 2010 treating you so far. I personally can't complain, since I've got a pretty nice start. Continuing with the awesomeness I was living and that I already told in some way on the previous post, I jumped into a flight and went all the way to Montana, US (work related trip this time, meaning few expenses on my behalf).

Of course Montana is too distant from my home city Pamplona, so it was totally necessary to stop somewhere on the way. And what could be better than Chicago, a city I'd heard beautiful things about and which I'd never visited. So I spent one day on my way to Montana and another one on my way back. Despite traveling alone (as usual when I do it for work reasons) I enjoyed very much and it left a great impression on me. It was cold, so some attractions weren't working yet, but that also meant less tourists, which was kind of nice as well. So I did the usual, Millennium Park (with the giant iron bean), Navy Pier, Hancock Observatory... and I couldn't leave without going to a Bulls game. Being a basketball fan and having grown up looking up to Michael Jordan, I couldn't miss the opportunity to go. It was awesome!!!!!!





In Montana I stayed at Shelby since the wind farm I had to work in for two weeks was fifteen minutes away from this small city. Well, for those of you who have already been in the area, I have little to say. And for those who haven't, let's just say that Montana is ... well, Montana. Maybe some people doesn't enjoy it that much, but you know me and how I usually adapt to the circumstances quickly, making myself comfortable anywhere. This wasn't an exception, and after the first week and the help of some of my students in class we got to know most of the locals and their weird habits. Let's leave it there. The training I had to give went better that I had foreseen, so I left Shelby with a great feeling after the two weeks were over. Plus, during the weekend in between I got to go to Great Falls (the biggest city nearby) and skiing in a Vermont style resort (oh, how it reminded me of the good old times in that wonderful state) called Showdown.



And after my American adventure, back to reality, with all my new responsibilities and a whole lot of work. But really happy with what I get to do and as always, learning a bunch. But you know work is not everything in life, not even close, so enjoying life is a must. One of the greatest pleasures I have discussed in this blog many times is the UVM reunions we try to keep organizing and performing. This time was Helene's turn and so we gathered some of our belongings and set out for Lyon, in France. We were fewer than usual, only four since Miguel couldn't go for working reasons (promotion and trip to China for 5 months) and Torsten couldn't either for monetary ones. Nevertheless, it was amazing to spend three days with these wonderful friends and realize that the magic is still there, making me believe that we can most surely stay pals forever.