Happy Holidays 2008!

Hello and Happy Holidays! I hope you all have had a good 2008. Slightly late this time, here is my round-up of the year! In lieu of Christmas cards, I have made a donation to Helping Hands Cambodia.

My biggest news of the year is that I successfully defended my dissertation in early November, which makes me officially a doctor! The title of my research was "A Systems Approach to Improving Policy Compliance" and had to do with how the federal government purchases alternative fuel vehicles. My graduation ceremony from George Washington University Engineering School (in Environmental and Energy Management) coincidentally falls on my birthday next year - May 15 2009. I can’t think of a better present! A few days after my defense, I left on a much-needed vacation to Southeast Asia, where I spent two weeks exploring Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Japan. I trekked though small villages in Laos, rode an elephant, visited Angkor Wat and Mt. Fuji, and luckily left to come home two days before political protestors took over the Bangkok airport. It was a great trip, and I highly recommend visiting this part of the world.

I rang in 2008 in New York City with some friends, which was lots of fun. As usual, I managed to get in a few ski trips this year. I am still working at Sentech, supporting the Department of Energy’s Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies program. I was fortunate enough to do several international trips for work this year, and in June I traveled to Boston to present a paper at a conference – a first for me.

During the summer I took a few short trips – to Ottawa for my friends Jennifer and Mike’s wedding, to Charlottesville for my 10 year UVA reunion (hard to believe it’s been that long!) and to Columbus, NC to visit my grandma and get some dissertation work done.

Being done with a dissertation meant lots of extra time on my hands, and instead of relaxing and taking it easy (guess I’ll save that for next year!), I have decided to take on a new endeavor – competing in a triathlon with the Leukemia and Lymphoma’s Team in Training. This has been a goal of mine for awhile, but I didn’t feel I had the time to devote to it until now. In addition to training, I’m also raising money to fund cancer research. The support from family and friends thus far has been amazing, so a big THANK YOU to those who have contributed!

Best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy 2009, and see below for some photo highlights from 2008.

2008 Photo Montage

In New York for New Years 2008.

The Chicks in China reunite at the New Vectors casino night party.

Learning about different styles of beer with co-workers in Essen, Germany.

Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle.

Snowboarding with Jennie in Lake Tahoe.  We also managed to hit up the craps and blackjack tables while we were there.

Driving a hydrogen-fueled BMW at the National Hydrogen Association conference.

Checking out local fashion while on a work trip to Russia.

In Red Square, Moscow.

My sister Lauren and I at the Operation Smile Gala in Washington, DC.

Jennifer's bachelorette party in New York City.

Catching a Red Sox game at Fenway Park in Boston.

With classmates from UVA at our 10 year reunion in Charlottesville, Virginia

Checking out wildlife in Brisbane, Australia

Visiting Kim and Chris while in Australia.

Annual hiking trip to White Oak Canyon, Virginia.

Visiting Grandma in Tryon, North Carolina.

With friends at screen on the green - movies shown on the National Mall in DC.

Wine tasting in Windsor, Ontario

In the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium - I also caught a World Cup qualifying soccer match that evening.

Exploring vineyards outside of Stuttgart, Germany

With my doctoral committee right after my defense.  First picture of me as a doctor!

Snorkeling excursion in Koh Chang, Thailand.

Exploring Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Exploring the Lao countryside by elephant.

With Team in Training teammates at our kick-off celebration.