Since I've moved to Ireland its been a whirlwind of work related travel, this included a trip to The Transporters and Channels Symposia in Erice Sicilly. It was a great week, I have never seen a place so shrouded in fog an mist though, despite rest of the island being sunny. Erice is at the top of mountain and the castle is right on headland, it was the only thing visible on arrival.
The conference was held in a small centre, previously a religious building, some peole were even staying in former monks cells. I lucked out with a hotel room.
The lectures were very interesting and challenging, but it was not all work and i met some great contacts, including Shelly from Stanford and Renarta from Calgary, see pictures.
After Erice came Phys Soc main meeting in Cambridge, my old stomping ground. I was presenting my first set of data. I rode down day before conference and was stopping at my biking mates. It was fantastic riding to town everyday, don't think Prof was happy that i turned up to register in my biking gear!. Needless to say talk eventually went well, only 30 people present, but I handled the questions well and Prof was happy, so good job done. Ciaran and Ciara also enjoyed the trip and saw the sights.
I am looking forward to my next conference in New Orleans in April 09
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Move to Ireland
Well what initiated my move to the Emerald Isle, well certainly not the glorious weather!. Yes Ireland and especially Cork has its fill of precipitation. Have had to invest in substantial wet weather gear and now know signs of when it's going to rain so i can go out in my overtrousers to prevent a day sitting in wet clothes.
When my contract finished in Cambridge the potential jobs available for a molecular physiologist were few and far between. I applied and interviewed at York, but was not successful and many of my other applications did not even get a response. I had forgot about Cork application as it had taken 6 weeks to even reply for an interview, i have later now in post realised this is normal and due to relaxed attitude to correspondance and HR department!. To cut a long story short I was successful. I debated for a day whether it was the right move, it felt right though so I accepted. I then had the awful feeling for two months whether it was the right thing to do, Cork's a long way from Chase Terrace and my roots!.
My feelings intensified on 31st Dec (Move day), was delayed 1 hr at airport, then diverted to Shannon due to Fog in Cork. Witnessed a wake at midnight in Charleville on the 2 hour coach journey back to Cork airport. What had I come to!. Arrived at about 12:30 to my lodgings and promtly went straight to bed could not face unpacking.
The first two months were diffiult settling in, but since then have not looked back. My work colleagues are so friendly. I have lots of opportunities see rest of Blog and my social life is improving weekly. They have accepted the shorthaired biker into their embrace and for that I am grateful.
When my contract finished in Cambridge the potential jobs available for a molecular physiologist were few and far between. I applied and interviewed at York, but was not successful and many of my other applications did not even get a response. I had forgot about Cork application as it had taken 6 weeks to even reply for an interview, i have later now in post realised this is normal and due to relaxed attitude to correspondance and HR department!. To cut a long story short I was successful. I debated for a day whether it was the right move, it felt right though so I accepted. I then had the awful feeling for two months whether it was the right thing to do, Cork's a long way from Chase Terrace and my roots!.
My feelings intensified on 31st Dec (Move day), was delayed 1 hr at airport, then diverted to Shannon due to Fog in Cork. Witnessed a wake at midnight in Charleville on the 2 hour coach journey back to Cork airport. What had I come to!. Arrived at about 12:30 to my lodgings and promtly went straight to bed could not face unpacking.
The first two months were diffiult settling in, but since then have not looked back. My work colleagues are so friendly. I have lots of opportunities see rest of Blog and my social life is improving weekly. They have accepted the shorthaired biker into their embrace and for that I am grateful.
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