Praise God! So, I’ve finally been getting down to work- pulling references and making a list of objectives for my research paper, but I’ve been a little too intimidated to actually get started on the thing. As I was finding references, I basically just googled base-isolation system, elastomeric bearings, U.S., which is about as general as I could be, and I started downloading any file that came up. My Wikipedia source made up about half of the information I found… not an impressive start. But after talking to the grad student working on this research at the university, I fianlly pulled out of her a way that I can help her with her research! She would like me to find out the U.S. codes for testing elastomeric bearing systems so that we can compare their test methods and results to see if they meet the U.S.’s standards.
I was more than eager to promise to find these standards for her because I’ve been asking the entire time I’ve been here how I can help (mostly because I feel guilty for receiving a grant to be over here- so I feel like I should be able to help the research going on, or at least put something significant in the world to show for my time at this university- I’m not sure this research paper is going to make it into the significant category), and I haven’t been able to be anything but a burden to Concetta because instead of being able to help, I have only made more work- having her check the problems I’m doing and scheduling times to meet with me. So, anyway, I’ve been feeling guilty, and at the opportunity to finally help I promised her- of course I’ll find the standards and requirements of the U.S.! After leaving her office, I thought about how, opposed to the rest one the world, which basically has 1 set of building codes, the U.S. has about 4 base codes, and on top of it state requirements and municipal requirements. So I was getting a little bit worried about fulfilling the promised I made, but when I sat down to work this morning, dragging my feet because I was a little bit worried about finding what I needed; I looked through the sparse files that I already saved, and boom! I literally named one of the files- U.S. Standard Test Procedures for Seismic Isolation Systems. I’m not sure why I looked past this file when saving it the first time, or probably why I was freaking out about being able to find standard testing procedures because apparently it was easy if I found it without even looking, but it sure was a blessing to see that I had it. God really does work in mysterious ways.
Okay, with that little drawn-out, probably intensely boring for those of you who aren’t base-isolation system fanatics, story under today’s blog’s belt, on with the updates. I assume Dan is still working on the blog of our adventures while he was in Italy because I see that it’s not posted yet… I’m sure it will be done soon. However, I don’t think I will actually be posting a blog about his visit because 1) I just received the deadline for research paper and it’s 2 weeks away 2) I also have two more semester projects in addition to the research paper to start and complete in the next 3 weeks, 3) when I get back to the states and actually talk to you people in person, I will have absolutely nothing to tell you about my trip because you have already read every detail! So, assuming Dan doesn’t post, those two weeks will remain secret until we meet in person.
Since his departure and my last blog, life has gone on as usual. It’s so strange that I only have about 3 weeks here left (and those weeks unfortunately will be filled with work work work…except for this weekend where I will be meeting Leandra in Venice, spending a night, then grabbing a train with her back to Florence and hanging out with her family for a couple days). Then after the 3 weeks of work are completed, I visit Begonia’s home in Madrid for 5 days, then when I get back- my family will be here!!! They are here one week and after they leave I have my final weekend in Europe, then I head out early on Monday for the journey home!
So anyway, life as usual has had some highlights. On Sunday I went to church in the morning. An American was filling in for the usual British pastor- his sermon was much longer, in true American fashion, and it was good. As I was walking out and he was shaking everybody’s hand as they leave, I found out that the girl in front of me is from Chicago and only in Naples for the weekend. I said hey, cool! I’m from Illinois! Have you enjoyed Naples? Good! Well, it was nice to meet you. And she went on her way, which happened to be the direction I was going to get back to the Villalta. After following her awkwardly for half a minute, I called out her name (which might be the first time I’ve remembered a name after only hearing it once) and asked her if she was doing anything for lunch. She told me she had no plans for the day, so I invited her to come eat at the Villalta. It was a cool experience, I’m glad I invited her to come.
To kill time before lunch we went to Castel dell’Ovo (it never fails to impress), and hung out on the roof a bit. She loved the Villalta and was very impressed with the lunch. She had quite a bit to share at tertulia since she has been to 17 countries since January. The girls just went crazy over all the places she’s been and they were especially impressed that she travelled to all of these places alone (Italians don’t like to be alone.) Anyway, it was a good morning.
I’m pretty sure I’ve done more than this in the past week, I just cant think of anything at the moment other than going to class and doing homework… I’ve watched a couple of movies that Dan left with me… Oh, also, I was quite sick the last couple of days, so sleeping took up a big hunk of time too. I had quite a high temperature and everything that comes with a fever for about 24 hours, now I’m just dealing with the leftovers, cold-like symptoms. I’m feeling much better. I’ve had to avoid Elisabetta like crazy, though; it would not be good if she got sick. (Oh ya! Elisabetta is back! She came back the second week that Dan was here.. I forgot to mention it. It turns out she needs 6 months of treatments now, so keep praying for her. She looks real good some days, and other days not so much.)
Also, Dan moved into his apartment in Indy (one day it will be my apartment as well…..weirddddd) and started his grown-up job! I’m very proud to be engaged to such an old man.
Okay, now I’m off to meet Karen for a ride. I hope the trails don’t wash out from under us; it rained at least a couple meters yesterday… When I come back I’ve promised to help a couple of the girls with some math problems? I don’t know why they think I would be able to help… But I also need to start writing! I spent the whole morning looking at wedding pictures making a wishlist :) I hope I don’t spend the whole afternoon looking up what to do in Venice and Florence! Although I do need to do that… I leave tomorrow.
Okaaaaay.. BYE!
Oh ya! There is a new girl from Lebanon living at the Villalta! She moved in last night. She only speaks English and Arabic, so I’ll be her go-to linguist now that I know the ropes.. She sure is lucky she has me! Just kidding… I hope I’m up to the job of keeping her informed…I’m rarely able to keep myself informed. Okay, over and out!
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