Happy Holidays from Kristin!: December 2007

Happy Holidays to everyone!! 2007 has been another busy, fun-filled year for me! Check out the photo montage below as well to see some of what I've been up to.

In April I received a job offer with a renewable energy consulting company called Sentech and left NewVectors after three and half years. It was tough to leave all my terrific co-workers at NV, but I am really enjoying my new job! I support the Hydrogen Program at the Department of Energy and love it! I also support an organization called the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy and have traveled to Seoul, South Korea and Rome, Italy for meetings.

Speaking of, its been a big travel year for me! I spent a week skiing and snowboarding in Vail, Colorado in February, and in March I traveled to China with three friends to visit Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. It was an amazing trip, and I promise I will post the pictures soon (really!!) In addition to Korea and Italy, I also traveled to Boston, Detroit, and San Antonio for work.

During the spring I continued volunteering as a mentor with the ASTEP program and am proud to report that the team I mentored submitted the winning research paper this year! I spent much of the summer and fall working on my graduate school work, and successfully defended my dissertation proposal at the beginning of December. I am now working on my research, hoping to finally earn my degree (in Environmental and Energy Management at GW) at some point in 2008.

I spent the holidays here in Arlington, Va with family - mom and dad live just down the road and Lauren is back in DC (studying International Affairs at GW). Andrew was visiting from college at the University of Illinois where he is studying computer science.

I hope you've enjoyed this year's letter (also check out my photo montage below) - in lieu of holiday cards this year I have purchased a flock of ducks through Heifer International.

Best wishes to all of you for a wonderful 2008!

Skiing at Ski Liberty with friends. It was 80's day that day - I entered (but did not win) the 80's fashion contest.

Riding the powder in Vail, Colorado

Walking the Freedom Trail in Boston in February.

Trip to China with friends Danielle, Jess and Phan

In Tianenman Square.

In Old Town Alexandria, Va with extended Deason family.

Volunteering at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens with NewVectors co-workers for DC Cares day.

With a fuel cell car in South Korea.

Checking out Seoul nightlife with my friend Ben from college.

With fellow crew members of Dutch Treat after racing in the Cock Island Sailing Race in Portsmouth, Virginia

Sailing with friends on the Chesapeake.

Watching David Beckham's MLS debut with friends at RFK stadium. It was quite the spectacle!!

Another crazy rafting trip to the Gauley River in West Virginia. My feet are the ones sticking out of the water with the black and yellow shoes. Yikes!!